The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was involved in the rescue of a U.S. crew member after an F-15 jet was shot down over Iran.
According to a report from Axios, the CIA launched a deception campaign inside Iran to spread information that U.S. forces had already located the officer. While the campaign spread, the CIA used “unique capabilities” to search for him, a senior official told the outlet. “This was the ultimate needle in a haystack but in this case it was a brave American soul inside a mountain crevice, invisible but for CIA’s capabilities,” the official stated.
The official added that the CIA shared the crew member’s location with the Pentagon, the military, and the White House, launching the rescue mission. Strikes were carried out against Iranian forces to prevent them from reaching the crew member.
President Trump later confirmed the rescue mission.
“We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran. The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close. He is a highly respected Colonel,” Trump wrote. “This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to ‘man and equipment.’ It just doesn’t happen! The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran. An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all! I will be having a News Conference, with the Military, at the Oval Office, on Monday, at 1:00 P.M. God Bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS!”
