Wow. The rescue of the missing airman in Iran is sounding like a truly remarkable achievement... [View all]

Two transport aircraft sent to retrieve him developed mechanical problems. So, three more aircraft were then sent in to recover him. He is now being reported as "safe and sound" and out of Iranian airspace.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/04/us/politics/military-iran-airman-rescue.html

An Air Force officer whose fighter jet had been shot down in Iran was rescued by U.S. Special Operations forces in a risky Saturday night mission that took commandos deep into enemy territory, said current and former U.S. officials briefed on the operation.

The rescue followed a life-or-death race between U.S. and Iranian forces that stretched over two days to reach the injured airman, the officials said. In the end, U.S. commandos extracted the officer in a massive operation that involved hundreds of special operations troops.