Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Apr 5: US Special Operations forces carried out a high-risk mission deep inside Iran to rescue an Air Force officer whose fighter jet had been shot down, officials said.

The operation followed a tense two-day search after the F-15E Strike Eagle was hit by Iranian forces, forcing both crew members to eject. While the pilot was rescued quickly, the weapons systems officer remained missing, triggering an urgent recovery mission.

According to officials, the airman survived while hiding with minimal equipment, including a pistol, as US forces raced against Iranian troops to reach him. The mission involved hundreds of special operations personnel, along with warplanes, helicopters, and advanced intelligence capabilities.

US aircraft reportedly carried out strikes on approaching Iranian convoys to prevent them from reaching the area. A firefight broke out as American forces moved in to extract the airman, but no US casualties were reported.

The rescued officer was flown to Kuwait for medical treatment, with all personnel involved in the mission returning safely.

Officials described the operation as one of the most complex in US special operations history. In a final phase, two transport aircraft used in the mission became inoperable at a remote site, prompting commanders to deploy additional planes and destroy the disabled aircraft to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

The incident comes amid ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, with heightened military activity across the region.