CBS News Special Report — Carissa Lawson, New York
CBS News has learned the second U.S. crew member from a downed F‑15E in western Iran was rescued by U.S. special forces Sunday morning local time, according to multiple U.S. officials and President Trump. The second airman, a weapon systems officer, was one of two people aboard the F‑15E that was shot down early Friday morning during combat operations. Both airmen ejected. The aircraft’s pilot was recovered Friday soon after Iranian forces downed the jet. U.S. officials have not yet released the pilot’s condition.
James LaPorta, CBS News national security coordinating producer and U.S. Marine veteran, described the recovery as a race against time. From the moment the F‑15 went down, U.S. combat search and rescue assets were launched. Those assets recovered the pilot but not the weapon systems officer, who spent roughly 48 hours hiding with only a pistol for self‑defense.
The rescue of the second crew member involved multiple military and intelligence capabilities: combat search and rescue units, Air Force pararescuemen (PJs), cyber operations, space assets, and other intelligence tools to geolocate and protect the downed airman while Iranian forces moved into the area. LaPorta emphasized the high risk of the mission and credited pararescue personnel—medically trained special operators known as PJs—with playing a key role in the recovery. Their motto, he noted, is “so that others may live.”
Details on the rescued airman’s condition have not been released beyond confirmation of rescue. The U.S. military will provide further medical evaluation and mental health care, and conduct an intelligence debrief to gather any information the airman observed while behind enemy lines. Family notification procedures will follow.
LaPorta explained typical search‑and‑rescue and recovery procedures: immediate launch of rescue assets, geolocation by intelligence, efforts to keep eyes on the individual, and coordination to counter enemy movements. In this case, U.S. commanders had been racing to retrieve both crew members while additional aircraft losses occurred during the same period, including an A‑10 shot down on Friday; that pilot was also rescued and reported safe.
U.S. commanders will now monitor Iran’s likely responses. Despite recent bombing campaigns by the U.S. and Israel, Iran retains missile and drone capabilities and could retaliate. President Trump had earlier threatened additional action, including over the Strait of Hormuz; LaPorta said some planned escalatory bombing appeared to be put on hold while forces focused on the rescue.
Training and survival background: Aircrews are required to attend SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) school, which prepares aviators to survive if forced down behind enemy lines, to evade capture, and to resist and survive in captivity. SERE curriculum draws lessons from past prisoners of war and teaches survival, evasion, and resistance techniques.
Regarding the weapon systems officer’s ordeal, LaPorta noted that carrying only a pistol provides little protection against forces armed with rifles like AK‑47s. The airman reportedly hid for about 48 hours with limited firepower until special forces could recover him.
After rescue, the airman will receive further echeloned medical care and mental health support, and will be debriefed for intelligence value. The recovery was described as “extremely risky” but successful.
Summary of events and immediate context:
– 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: Pilot of the F‑15E was recovered shortly after the crash.
– Sunday (local): Special forces rescued the weapon systems officer after an urgent, multi‑domain operation involving search‑and‑rescue units, pararescuemen, cyber and space assets, and intelligence coordination.
– Status: Rescued airman’s condition not yet fully released; pilot’s condition unconfirmed publicly.
– Broader context: U.S. and Israeli air operations have struck targets in the region; Iran retains missile and drone capabilities that could be used in retaliation. President Trump had signaled further action but focused forces on the rescue.
This is a developing story; CBS News will continue coverage.