Wow. The rescue of the missing airman in Iran is sounding like a truly remarkable achievement...

[PeaceWave]

Two transport aircraft sent to retrieve him developed mechanical problems. So, three more aircraft were then sent in to recover him. He is now being reported as "safe and sound" and out of Iranian airspace.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/04/us/politics/military-iran-airman-rescue.html

An Air Force officer whose fighter jet had been shot down in Iran was rescued by U.S. Special Operations forces in a risky Saturday night mission that took commandos deep into enemy territory, said current and former U.S. officials briefed on the operation.

The rescue followed a life-or-death race between U.S. and Iranian forces that stretched over two days to reach the injured airman, the officials said. In the end, U.S. commandos extracted the officer in a massive operation that involved hundreds of special operations troops.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

1. Congrats to the best SF in the world,

now, let's get the rest of the US Military out of this illegal war and back home safe.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

3. Yep, this was pounded into our heads:

Leave no Marine behind, wounded or deceased, and we never did.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

25. My Dad was a search & rescue pilot in WW2

Last edited Mon Apr 6, 2026, 04:27 AM - Edit history (1)

I could really identify with what was going on. I was glad to hear he got saved - even though Trump and Hegseth will be bragging about it forever. The spotlight should be on all the pilots and the ground troops - they are very brave and are hero’s. Trump the coward could never do what they all did.

[Ex Lurker]

4. The US military is a Ferrari

and a 13 year old has the keys.

[FHRRK1]

6. It will be great to hear the whole story

At a minimum I would think the guy was severely bruised from the eject impact. Then he made it over 24 hours without being caught.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

7. I'll bet him and his pilot went through the SERE training,

that's one of the reasons he was able to avoid capture and the training and professionalism of America's SOF to rescue him.

I'll wager that Air Force Pararescue were involve also.

[littlemissmartypants]

8. Survive Evade Resist and Escape

[MarineCombatEngineer]

9. Not many people know what SERE means, mostly civilians who've never been in the military,

I myself, never went through the course but I knew some of those that did and they said it was the toughest course they ever went through.

I did, however, go through the Navy's Seabee Combat training and it was a pretty tough training course.

[pfitz59]

17. I went through SERE

In Maine. In the snow.

[Skittles]

19. "very polite alpha dogs"

that's how I saw USAF pilots when I dealt with them as a teenaged airgal

[GenThePerservering]

32. Real alpha dogs usually are polite

as well as well mannered and mature. They're only dangerous when they need to be.

[orleans]

10. most everything they say i doubt/question b/c they (trump hagbreath rubio etc) are such assholes & criminals and LIARS

i can't help it.

[rickford66]

11. A shame, President Carter's rescue mission was done in by sand.

If it were successful, we wouldn't have had Reagan et al.

[KitFox]

12. Rescue is entrenched. My dad was a battlefield medic in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. He did not share

details about the horrors he had to have experienced, but he told us about the priority of rescue for wounded and deceased. He told us about the incredible rescue help they received from villagers in the Belgian resistance. His unit helped liberate Buchenwald Concentration Camp. I am heartsick when I think of what he and the astronomical legions of others endured in battle compared to what is disgustingly happening with this ignorant, callous, incompetent, disrespectful gang of Trump regime thugs making decisions.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

14. Yours, mine and millions upon millions of American's were part of the Greatest Generation,

it's a G**damn shame that, as another DU'er said, we have a 13 yo in charge of the most lethal military force on the planet.

Hat's off to those SOF who risked their lives to save a fellow comrade.

[jfz9580m]

13. I am happy for him

I have a soft spot for the military because my dad is a military vet (Indian Navy not American), but still. Dad has met American Naval officers long back though.

Dad and I dislike and distrust most of the sleazy defense contracting out there - corrupt chicken hawks - but the military proper is different.

I was trying not to think about what this poor airman’s plight would have been had he been captured by the Iranian regime.

[diverdownjt]

15. Two transport aircraft sent to retrieve him developed mechanical problems. So, three more aircraft were then sent in to

Sounds like a jimmy carter moment. Now he cannot be re-elected. right...right.
I always forget the rules don't apply to him.

[GoodRaisin]

16. It's very good news.

Can’t think of him getting into their hands.

[Skittles]

18. are you hoping we will disagree?

WE SUPPORT OUR MILITARY

WE DON'T SUPPORT BULLSHIT WARS

[H2O Man]

20. One might think so.

[fujiyamasan]

24. It shouldn't have to be said

Saw too much BS almost twenty five years ago when anyone against the war in Iraq was “against the troops”.

Fuck those people.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

26. I didn't know anyone who thought it was a good idea.

And I lived with a bunch of republicans in my family. That was back when “normal” Republicans could disagree with the President and the party. Before they became zombies.

[Skittles]

27. come to think of it, you are correct

I don't remember anyone really being gung ho about it, and I sent a LOT of care packages to troops in Iraq.

[COL Mustard]

21. This is fantastic news!

I’m grateful for the rescue of this pilot and very cognizant that he followed his training in a very difficult and dangerous situation.

[live love laugh]

22. Is it even real? I mean not performative? I believe nothing from the grifters. Especially an event like this

that indirectly bestows credit to them by association.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

29. It's real, it's been confirmed by several news outlets.

Special Operation Forces rescued the downed back seater after an intense firefight with no US casualties and all are out of Iranian territory and back on friendly grounds.

The US has the most lethal SOF's in the world and kudos to them, not Trumpedo or his toadies, for this very successful rescue of a comrade, now, it's far past time to end this insane and illegal war and bring our military home.

[Blue Full Moon]

23. If it's real

[MarineCombatEngineer]

30. It's real.

See post#29.

[Blue Full Moon]

31. He had nothing to do with it but taking credit

[MarineCombatEngineer]

33. Oh I agree,

him and Kegsbreath had nothing to do with the successful rescue, it was the superb training of our SOF's, long before these 2 lunatics came on the scene.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

28. Success means Orange Ass had nothing to do with it.

Everything he touches dies.