How the CIA used a deception campaign in Iran to extract downed F-15 crew member

Published April 5, 2026 1:20pm ET



The CIA was heavily involved in a precarious operation that successfully rescued a U.S. airman who was shot down over Iran last week.

The intelligence community sprang into action after it was revealed on Friday that Iran shot down the F-15 fighter jet, which held two crew members. The pilot was rescued alive on Friday, with President Donald Trump later saying he was saved “in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran.” But the second, a weapons system officer, according to Axios, remained stranded.

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