CBS News has learned the second U.S. crew member from a downed F‑15E in western Iran was recovered by U.S. special forces Sunday morning local time, U.S. officials and President Trump said. The rescued airman, a weapon systems officer, was one of two people aboard the F‑15E that was shot down early Friday during combat operations. Both crew members ejected; the jet’s pilot was recovered Friday shortly after the aircraft went down. U.S. officials have not publicly released the pilot’s condition.
According to James LaPorta, CBS News national security coordinating producer and a U.S. Marine veteran, the recovery was a race against time. Combat search-and-rescue assets were launched immediately after the aircraft was lost. Those efforts retrieved the pilot, but the weapon systems officer evaded capture and spent roughly 48 hours behind enemy lines with only a pistol for self-defense before U.S. forces reached him.
The mission to recover the second airman used multiple military and intelligence capabilities. Combat search-and-rescue units and Air Force pararescuemen (PJs) were central to the operation, supported by cyber operations, space-based assets and other intelligence tools used to geolocate and shield the downed airman as Iranian forces moved into the area. LaPorta highlighted the high risk of the operation and credited the pararescue teams—medically trained special operators—with a decisive role in bringing the airman to safety.
Details about the rescued airman’s medical condition have not been released beyond confirmation of the rescue. He will receive further medical evaluation and mental health care from U.S. military medical teams, and will undergo an intelligence debrief to document any observations from his time behind enemy lines. Standard family notification procedures will be carried out.
LaPorta described the typical search-and-rescue sequence: immediate deployment of rescue assets, intelligence geolocation of the downed individual, efforts to keep visual or sensor coverage on them, and operational coordination to counter enemy movements. In this case, commanders were racing to retrieve both crew members amid additional aircraft losses over the same period. An A‑10 was also shot down on Friday; that pilot was rescued and reported safe.
The account underscores the vulnerability of a downed airman with limited weaponry. LaPorta noted that carrying only a pistol offers little protection against adversaries armed with rifles such as AK‑47s, making the airman’s concealment and eventual recovery especially perilous.
Commanders are now assessing possible Iranian responses. Despite recent U.S. and Israeli strikes in the region, Iran retains missile and unmanned aerial capabilities that could be used in retaliation. President Trump had earlier threatened additional action, including operations in the Strait of Hormuz; LaPorta reported some planned escalatory strikes were apparently put on hold while forces concentrated on the rescue.
Background: U.S. aircrews attend SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training, which prepares aviators to survive if forced down behind enemy lines, evade capture, and resist and survive in captivity. SERE draws on lessons from past prisoners of war and teaches survival, evasion and resistance techniques that apply to situations like this recovery.
After the extraction, the rescued airman will be treated through the military’s echeloned medical system, receive mental health support, and be debriefed for intelligence value. U.S. officials described the recovery as “extremely risky” but ultimately successful.
Timeline recap:
– Early Friday: F‑15E shot down over western Iran; both crew ejected. Separately, an A‑10 was shot down Friday; that pilot was rescued and is safe.
– Friday: F‑15E pilot recovered soon after the crash.
– Sunday (local): Special forces recovered the weapon systems officer following a multi-domain operation involving search-and-rescue units, pararescuemen, cyber and space assets, and intelligence coordination.
– Status: Rescued airman’s condition not yet fully disclosed; pilot’s condition unconfirmed publicly.
This remains a developing story; CBS News will continue coverage.