Summary
The U.S. military launched a large rescue operation involving 176 aircraft to save the crew of an F-15 fighter jet that was downed in Iran. The operation successfully brought back the pilot and the weapon-system officer, using various aircraft to mislead Iranian forces.
Key Facts
- The U.S. military used 176 aircraft for the rescue.
- The aircraft included bombers, fighters, refueling tankers, helicopters, and drones.
- The pilot and weapon-system officer, known by their callsigns Dude 44A and Dude 44B, were rescued.
- Rescuing the weapon-system officer involved 155 aircraft to confuse Iranian forces.
- The operation took place in seven different locations, only one being the real site.
- The F-15 was the first U.S. manned aircraft downed by an enemy during Operation Epic Fury.
- Previous U.S. losses included three Strike Eagles, an MQ-9 Reaper, an E-3 Sentry, and a KC-135 Stratotanker.
