ISLAMABAD: US rescue teams are carrying out a high-risk operation inside Iran after a US F-15 fighter jet was shot down, with one crew member said to have been recovered and efforts ongoing to locate a second.
According to CBS, the search is taking place deep inside Iranian territory, making it one of the most complex forms of military operation known as combat search and rescue (CSAR).
CSAR missions are designed to locate and extract personnel such as downed pilots or isolated troops from hostile environments. Unlike conventional rescue efforts, these missions are conducted in contested areas where enemy forces may also be searching for the same individuals.
Elite US Air Force pararescue units, trained specifically for such scenarios, are typically deployed close to conflict zones in advance. These teams often operate with helicopters, supported by refuelling aircraft and armed escorts to provide cover.
Rescue teams
Experts say such missions are extremely time-sensitive and dangerous. Rescue teams must quickly establish contact with the missing crew member, provide medical aid if required, and move them to a safe extraction point while avoiding enemy detection.
Reports and verified footage suggest US helicopters and aircraft have been operating over Iran’s Khuzestan province. Iranian authorities have reportedly urged civilians to locate the missing crew member, offering incentives for their capture.
Analysts warn that if captured, the individual could become a significant bargaining tool for Iran.
Military specialists describe such operations as among the most demanding in modern warfare, requiring precise co-ordination, advanced training and rapid decision-making under pressure.
