New Declassified Videos Show U.S. Rescue F-15E Crew in Iran With 21 Aircraft and 90 Ground Troops.

The U.S. military recovered two Air Force officers shot down over Iran through separate rescue operations that escalated from a 21-aircraft extraction to a ground mission involving more than 90 personnel. The operation shows the concentration of airpower, intelligence, special operations forces and support assets required to recover isolated aircrew inside defended Iranian territory.

Newly released declassified footage shows how the two-man crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle was recovered after a surface-to-air missile brought down the aircraft south of Isfahan, leaving the pilot and weapons systems officer separated by several miles as Iranian forces searched for them. The first extraction used an HH-60W Jolly Green II under an extensive air package, while the second combined MC-130 aircraft, MH-6M Little Birds, deception measures, and strikes on nearby Iranian forces to create a temporary recovery window nearly two days after the shootdown.

Related News: U.S. Special Forces Launch One of the Most High-Risk Combat Rescues for Downed F-15E Crew in Iran

Declassified U.S. Department of Defense footage showing the recovery of Alpha in Iran (Picture source: US DoD)

The pilot, identified as Alpha, was recovered several hours later during a daylight mission involving 21 aircraft. Bravo faced a more difficult situation. His parachute was damaged during the ejection, and he struck the ground at high speed, sustaining fractures to his back, arm, and shoulder. Despite those injuries, he moved away from the landing area and reached a ridgeline at roughly 7,000 feet while Iranian personnel reportedly approached within a few hundred meters of his position.

On September 13, 2026, CBS News and 60 Minutes released newly declassified footage showing both recoveries and providing the most detailed public account to date of the force structure used during the operation. The footage includes two Air Force Pararescue personnel reaching Bravo after almost two days on the ground before moving him toward a U.S. helicopter. More than 90 American personnel were deployed on the ground during this second phase, while several hundred operated in the air and several thousand more supported the mission. When the rescuers reached Bravo, his first words were simply, “Let’s go.”

Alpha’s recovery involved the HH-60W Jolly Green II, the U.S. Air Force helicopter dedicated to Combat Search and Rescue missions. The aircraft has a stated range of 690 miles, can be refueled in flight, and incorporates Link 16 as well as a Situational Awareness Data Link. Its defensive suite also includes radar, laser, missile, and hostile-fire warning systems, countermeasures, and armored protection for the cockpit and cabin. These systems improve situational awareness during penetration into contested territory but do not remove the threat posed by short-range air defenses or small arms around a recovery zone.

Bravo’s extraction relied on a different configuration. Two MC-130 aircraft were used for an insertion onto an improvised airstrip around ten miles from his position after U.S. intelligence assessed that Iranian forces were expecting a helicopter-based rescue attempt. The aircraft carried MH-6M Little Bird helicopters for the final section of the mission. The MH-6M can reach approximately 143 mph, has a range of about 250 miles, and can carry up to six personnel. Its compact dimensions allow it to operate in restricted terrain and approach ridgelines where a larger helicopter would have fewer maneuvering options.

The main point is the scale of the force required to implement an established personnel recovery doctrine in this environment. Intelligence assets monitored both Bravo’s position and Iranian movements. According to CBS, the CIA conducted a deception operation intended to divert Iranian search efforts, while U.S. bombers and drones struck elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps near the area before the recovery force moved in.

The mission therefore combined surveillance, strike assets, aerial refueling, special operations aviation, command and control, and ground personnel to create a temporary access window around the isolated airman. The initial loss of the F-15E also illustrates how a team equipped with a short-range infrared missile can impose costs out of proportion to the weapon itself, even against a force holding broader air superiority.

The operation now forms part of a U.S.-Iran conflict that has continued beyond its initial phase. On September 1, U.S. Central Command announced further strikes against air defense sites, radars, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications infrastructure associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while also stating that more than 50,000 U.S. personnel remained deployed across the Middle East.

On September 5 and 8, CENTCOM also struck eight Iranian tankers following ballistic missile attacks against U.S. Navy vessels. Tehran therefore retains the means to respond through missile strikes and actions against maritime traffic, while Washington continues to maintain substantial air, naval and support forces to sustain the campaign and protect deployed units. The recovery of Alpha and Bravo illustrates one of the enduring constraints of this confrontation: U.S. military superiority allows operations deep inside Iran, but each loss can require another concentration of specialized assets and create an additional opportunity for escalation around the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.