On April 3, an F-15E fighter jet from the 494th Fighter Squadron, operating out of RAF Lakenheath, was struck over southwestern Iran. The crash site was confirmed in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province, near Dehdasht. Wreckage analysis identified an ACES II ejection seat and a tail section consistent with the squadron. Iran claimed responsibility, stating it utilized a new IRGC air defense system, though the exact weapon system remains unconfirmed.

Immediately following the incident (Hour 0), both crew members successfully ejected. The pilot promptly activated their survival radio and PRD, establishing contact with U.S. aircraft overhead and was subsequently recovered within hours. The Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) landed separately in challenging mountainous terrain. A satellite briefly detected the WSO's beacon before it went silent for an unknown reason.

Over the next 12 hours, the WSO initiated evasion tactics, drawing upon SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training. Despite their isolation, intermittent encrypted communication was maintained with U.S. forces. Concurrently, the IRGC launched a large-scale search operation, with Iranian state television urging civilians to report or capture the pilot. Reports indicated rewards of up to $60,000 were offered, alongside public messages advocating for a shoot-on-sight policy.

Between 12 and 24 hours after the shootdown, the WSO moved into high-elevation terrain, ascending to approximately 7,000 feet. U.S. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets continuously tracked Iranian movements. MQ-9 Reaper drones engaged and struck Iranian personnel who approached within roughly 3 kilometers of the WSO's estimated location, while other U.S. aircraft targeted IRGC forces advancing toward the area.

An additional incident occurred between 24 and 36 hours into the operation when an A-10 aircraft, providing support, was hit. Its pilot managed to exit Iranian airspace, ejecting safely over Kuwait, and was subsequently recovered.

During the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) air operations, HC-130 aircraft conducted crucial aerial refueling missions. Black Hawk helicopters, essential for the rescue efforts, encountered and took fire during their operations. Despite the engagements, all aircraft returned safely, though some personnel onboard sustained injuries.

In parallel, the CIA launched a deception campaign within Iran, disseminating false reports that the WSO had already been recovered. This operation allowed the CIA to precisely locate the WSO and relay the coordinates to U.S. leadership. Following this, President Trump authorized an immediate rescue mission.

The final extraction, a large-scale nighttime rescue operation, commenced between 36 and 48 hours after the initial incident. U.S. special operations forces were inserted into Iran, successfully locating and recovering the WSO alive after their sustained evasion.

The exfiltration phase encountered significant complications. MC-130 aircraft, later specified as two AFSOC C-130s, landed at a remote airstrip inside Iran. Their nose gears became stuck in the dirt, rendering them disabled. Four MH-6 Little Bird helicopters were also part of the operation, with one flying to the mountain top area to rescue the WSO before returning to the makeshift landing strip. A decision was made to destroy the disabled aircraft—the two C-130s and four MH-6 Little Birds—to prevent the capture of sensitive equipment. The U.S. assessment indicated these aircraft were self-destroyed, not shot down by Iranian forces. Reports indicate the U.S. Air Force used multiple bombs to blow up all abandoned aircraft. Three AFSOC Dash-8 aircraft were subsequently deployed to fly out the rescued WSO and the approximately 100 personnel involved in the operation. Iranian sources claimed they shot down 2 MQ-9 Reaper drones during this period.

The mission's operational cost was estimated at $300 million, largely due to the abandonment and destruction of the two AFSOC C-130s and four MH-6 Little Birds. The U.S. also used multiple bombs and missiles to eliminate IRGC vehicles attempting to approach both the mountain and the airstrip. During the rescue, Israel reportedly paused its airstrikes. President Trump confirmed the success of the mission, stating that no U.S. personnel were killed. The operation involved dozens of aircraft, resulting in the rescue of 2 F-15E crew members and 1 A-10 pilot—a total of 3 U.S. airmen, all alive and no captures. The mission was successfully completed deep inside Iran under hostile conditions.