Pete Hegseth was speaking at a worship service at the government complex when he read the prayer, as first reported by Word&Way. He said he had been given it by the "lead mission planner" of the rescue mission for two Air Force crew who were shot down over Iran.

"The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men," Hegseth prayed. "Blessed is he who, in the name of camaraderie and duty, shepherd the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. "And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother. And you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee, and amen."