US special forces rescue team faces ‘harrowing and dangerous’ search for crew member downed over Iran

US special forces rescue teams are engaged in a “harrowing and dangerous” search for a downed US airman somewhere in southern Iran. Elite Air Force pararescue units scrambled for a rescue mission after a F-15E fighter jet was shot down by forces of the Islamic Republic. The warplane’s pilot was successfully extracted by US personnel on Friday, but the search for the weapon systems officer continues deep within hostile airspace. Pararescue jumpers, among the most highly trained special operations forces in the American military, are conducting the recovery effort in Iran’s Khuzestan province. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Operations of this nature rank among the most intricate and time-pressured undertakings that US and allied forces prepare for. At least 24 elite operators flying Black Hawk helicopters will likely be deployed to the region, according to a former commander of a pararescue jumpers squadron. The former officer described the mission in grave terms, explaining that: “Harrowing and massively dangerous is an understatement.” “This is what they train to do, all over the world. They are known as the Swiss Army knives of the Air Force.” Unlike conventional rescue efforts during humanitarian crises or natural disasters, combat search-and-rescue missions unfold in contested or actively hostile environments where enemy combatants are simultaneously hunting for the same personnel. Footage shared across social media showed Black Hawk helicopters flying low around the Iranian countryside. US military sources confirmed that the pilot was rescued by two aircraft, which came under small arms fire during the daring operation, per CBS. Some of the helicopter crew were wounded in the rescue, but all returned safely to base and were transported elsewhere for further medical care. LATEST FROM IRAN: SECOND US warplane ‘shot down in Persian Gulf’ as Americans scramble to rescue missing pilot US pilot rescued after Iran shoots down fighter jet as urgent search for serviceman still underway Iran dissident confident Islamic Republic is ‘taking last breath’ as he bravely speaks to GB News MORE TO FOLLOW Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter