Gen Dan Caine says US aircraft hit by enemy fire in Iran rescue: ‘Incredibly dangerous mission’

WASHINGTON, DC: A US rescue mission to recover two downed airmen in Iran turned into a high-risk operation after an American aircraft was struck by enemy fire during combat, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine.

The mission, involving more than 170 aircraft and about 200 personnel, was launched after an F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iranian territory. Both crew members were eventually recovered following complex, multi-stage operations amid heavy resistance.

US rescue mission faces heavy enemy fire in Iran

Caine said the incident began on April 2, when a US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in hostile Iranian territory, forcing its two crew members to eject.

"On Thursday, 2 April, at 10:10 pm Eastern time, 4:40 in the morning local Iran time, the Joint Personnel Recovery Center, which handles the Central Command Area of Responsibility, declared an isolated personnel recovery event for a US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, call-sign Dude 44, which was down in hostile Iranian territory. The pilot and weapons system officer had both safely ejected and we're isolated behind enemy lines."

President Donald Trump ordered immediate recovery efforts, deploying multiple aircraft into Iranian airspace despite a heavy enemy presence. Rescue helicopters attempting to extract the pilot came under intense small-arms fire, with one aircraft hit and crew members sustaining minor injuries.

"This was an incredibly dangerous mission," Caine said.

A-10 jet hit by enemy fire in Iran mission

US A-10 aircraft were tasked with protecting the rescue operation by engaging Iranian forces in close combat.

Gen Caine said, “As some of you have seen on social media, the helicopters took gas off the C-130s and pressed onward and forward up into the objective area. While this was ongoing, and out in front of them, the Sandy flight of A-10s and other remotely piloted aircraft, drones, and other tactical aircraft were violently suppressing and engaging the enemy in a close-in gunfight to keep them away from the front seater and allow the pickup force to get into the objective area." 

He further added, "During this engagement, one of the Sandy aircraft, the one primarily responsible for communicating with the downed, was hit by enemy fire. This pilot continued to fight, continued the mission, and then, upon exit, flew his aircraft into another country and determined that the airplane was not landable."

"This was one of our A-10 Sandy aircraft. The pilot then made the decision to eject over friendly territory, and was quickly and safely recovered and is doing fine.”

Despite being hit, the A-10 pilot continued combat operations before safely ejecting in friendly territory and being recovered.

CIA deception aids second airman rescue in Iran

The second crew member, the weapons systems officer, was located later after evading Iranian forces and signaling US teams. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the agency carried out a deception campaign to mislead Iranian forces during the search.

More than 150 aircraft were deployed in the follow-up mission. Transport planes carrying helicopters landed in desert terrain but became stuck, forcing US personnel to evacuate in multiple smaller aircraft trips.

Some equipment, including aircraft, was destroyed to prevent capture, with losses estimated at over $250 million. 

After more than 50 hours of operations, both crew members were brought back to friendly territory, Caine confirmed.

“Well, good afternoon, everyone. Thank you, Mr President. Thank you Mr Secretary. I know before I start, I know many of you want specific details in these briefings. We will share what we can, but I will retain what I must in the event that we have to go do this again sometime. And I cannot stress the importance, as the president said, around operational security."

He also added, “I'm proud of each and every one of you and thankful to our deployed forces and their families. And lastly, and most importantly, to Dude 44, welcome home. Job well done. Thank you.”