48-HOUR RESCUE INSIDE IRAN HOUR BY HOUR 

APRIL 3  

• F-15E Strike Eagle (Viper 21) shot down by Russian missile over southwestern Iran.  
• Mach 2.8 intercept, proximity fuse detonation.  
• Both crew eject successfully.

HOUR 0  

• Pilot recovered within minutes by ground team.  
• WSO lands alone, injured (broken ankle), deep in enemy territory.

HOURS 1-4  

• WSO starts evasion using night and terrain.  
• IRGC launches massive manhunt with drones and dogs.

HOURS 4-8  

• Thousands of Iranian civilians join the search for bounties.  
• U.S. jams Iranian radars and communications.

HOURS 8-12  

• WSO climbs 7,000-ft ridge despite injury.  
• U.S. strikes crater roads to block IRGC reinforcements.

HOURS 12-18  

• WSO reaches ridge top, hides in rocky crevice.  
• Makes first brief radio contact with friendly forces.

HOURS 18-24  

• A-10 Warthog shot down by Chinese MANPADS.  
• Pilot safely recovered by naval assets.

HOURS 24-30  

• Two HH-60W rescue helicopters hit by ground fire during attempt.  
• Crews wounded but return to base.

HOURS 30-36  

• U.S. escalates with cruise missile strikes on IRGC air defenses.  
• WSO survives near-miss drone strike, relocates under fire.

HOURS 36-42  

• Nighttime full extraction launched.  
• Special operations teams insert and engage IRGC in firefight.

HOURS 42-48  

• WSO located, stabilized on site, and extracted under heavy fire.

APRIL 5 — EARLY HOURS  

• WSO pulled out alive and conscious.  
• Both F-15E crew members safe.

An Israeli source claims that elite Israeli commando units, Shaldag and Sayeret Matkal, participated alongside US forces in a high-risk mission to rescue a downed American pilot deep inside Iran. 

According to the report, the complex operation lasted approximately 36 hours and involved coordinated efforts between the two allies. During the mission, a US helicopter reportedly came under fire but managed to return safely to base. The operation highlights the depth of operational cooperation between Israel and the US in confronting the Iranian regime, as well as the risks taken to recover personnel in hostile territory.

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