As they whisked him to safety, they blew up aircraft stranded on the ground rather than risk sophisticated military equipment falling into Iranian hands, leaving behind a final explosion and a plume of smoke. The rescue mission that US Officials said unfolded in the craggy gorges of southwestern Iran was the kind of operation that military commanders both planned for and dread. A downed American airman in enemy territory, hostile forces converging and early attempts faltering under fire. The aviator, who hasn't yet been identified, had been one of two crew flying in an F15E Strike Eagle with the aircraft, call sign Dude44. (07:45–07:57)
CLAIM
Asserts that the rescue mission in Iran was a planned and dreaded military operation.
This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.
