{"id":13935,"date":"2026-04-07T15:38:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/?p=13935"},"modified":"2026-04-07T15:38:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:38:18","slug":"how-seriously-wounded-us-airman-climbed-mountain-hid-in-crevice-and-dodged-iranian-bounty-hunters-for-36-hours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/?p=13935","title":{"rendered":"How seriously wounded US airman climbed mountain, hid in crevice and dodged Iranian bounty-hunters for 36 hours"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"td-post-featured-image\"><a class=\"td-modal-image\" href=\"https:\/\/g.newsonline.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/em.png\" data-caption=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"entry-thumb td-animation-stack-type0-2\" title=\"em\" src=\"https:\/\/g.newsonline.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/em.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"870\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<h1 class=\"entry-title\">BLOODIED US AIRMAN SURVIVES HARROWING 36-HOUR MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WHILE EVADING IRANIAN BOUNTY HUNTERS WITH ONE FINAL DESPERATE ACT Battered, bleeding, and clutching a jagged mountainside, a US airman transformed a catastrophic crash into a legendary feat of survival against impossible odds. After his aircraft went down, the airman managed to scale a treacherous peak and vanish into a narrow rock crevice just as Iranian bounty hunters began scouring the terrain below. For 36 agonizing hours, he remained motionless in the freezing shadows, listening to the footsteps of his pursuers as they closed in. The tension reached a breaking point when, cornered and exhausted, he performed one high-stakes tactical maneuver that bypassed their perimeter and allowed him to signal for rescue. This breathtaking display of courage under fire has left military officials stunned by his sheer will to survive.<\/h1>\n<h1 class=\"headline headline--single-fallback\">How seriously wounded US airman climbed mountain, hid in crevice and dodged Iranian bounty-hunters for 36 hours<\/h1>\n<div class=\"article-header__meta\" aria-label=\"Byline\">\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\">\n<div class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"td-animation-stack-type0-2\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/road-zagros-mountains-south-iran-125073326.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"An aerial view of a winding asphalt road through the rugged Zagros Mountains in South Iran at sunset.\" \/><\/div><figcaption>An American airman spent 36 hours hiding in the Zagros Mountain range inside Iran after his F-15E was shot down Friday.<span class=\"credit\">Lukas \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Despite his injuries, the weapons officer was able to climb more than 1.3 miles and avoid detection from blood-thirsty nearby Iranian fighters spurred by the chance to capture an American soldier and the $60,000 bounty placed on his head, the\u00a0New York Times reported.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThousands of these savages were hunting him down,\u201d\u00a0President Trump told Axios\u00a0of the harrowing situation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-7\">\n<div class=\"gliaplayer-container styles-module_container_xuywD\" data-slot=\"newsonlinebiz_desktop\" data-gc-slot-occupied=\"\" data-gc-donotuse-internal-id=\"slot-element\" data-gc-boot-time=\"2026-04-07T15:37:17.319Z\" data-gc-test-id=\"gc-instream-slot\" data-gc-instream-style-scope=\"\">\n<div class=\"InstreamDom_root_21jVv\" data-ref=\"root\" data-gc-test-id=\"gc-instream-root\">\n<div class=\"InstreamDom_footer_iL5Q_\">\n<div class=\"InstreamDom_poweredBy_32RQo\" data-ref=\"poweredBy\" data-gc-test-id=\"gc-instream-powered-by\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The officer was armed with only a handgun as he awaited rescue, which occurred partly thanks to the emergency beacon he sent out from a crevice along a mountain early Sunday local time,\u00a0CBS News reported.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\">\n<div class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38999436 td-animation-stack-type0-2\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?w=1024\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 2540w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=878,586&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 878w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=744,496&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 744w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=720,480&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 720w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=576,384&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 576w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=457,305&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 457w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=440,293&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 440w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=424,282&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 424w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=389,260&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 389w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=360,240&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 360w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=340,227&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 340w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=320,213&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 320w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=314,209&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 314w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=84,56&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 84w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=60,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 60w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=661,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 661w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/u-s-air-force-f-124962827_d2d9b6.jpg?resize=150,100&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 150w\" alt=\"An F-15E takes off with afterburners ablaze.\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" \/><\/div><figcaption>The pilot of the aircraft was rescued shortly after the crash, but it took a daring and complex operation to save his weapons officer.<span class=\"credit\">CENTCOM<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<div class=\"inline-module inline-module--more inline-module--explore-more inline-module--more--thirds\" data-source-unit=\"Explore More - Tag\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<p>Trump and his team initially feared that the signal could be a trap to lure more American soldiers into a dangerous situation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-5\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\">\n<div class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-39000416 td-animation-stack-type0-2\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 649px) 100vw, 649px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 697w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=300,273&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=600,546&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 600w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=648,589&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 648w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=545,496&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 545w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=576,524&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 576w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=440,400&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 440w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=310,282&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 310w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=180,164&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 180w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=78,71&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 78w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=76,69&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 76w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=44,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 44w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=77,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 77w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=59,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 59w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=200,182&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=231,210&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=322,293&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=485,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 485w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=66,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 66w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=88,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 88w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=64,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 64w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=172,156&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 172w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=50,45&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/06N.AIRMAN.RESCUE.jpg?resize=150,136&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 150w\" alt=\"Illustration detailing a daring rescue to save an airman, including maps of Iran, aircraft used, and a timeline of events.\" width=\"649\" height=\"590\" \/><\/div><figcaption>Map detaining the rescue plan to save the US airman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A US defense official said that before the colonel\u2019s extraction, the weapons officer submitted a short, unusual message over the radio that said, \u201cGod is good.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat he said on the radio sounded like something a Muslim would say,\u201d\u00a0Trump told Axios, referencing the Islamic phrase \u201cAllahu Akbar,\u201d or \u201cGod is Great.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth\u00a0posted the same phrase, \u201cGod is good,\u201d on X after the hero was rescued.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\">\n<div class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38999439 td-animation-stack-type0-2\" 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=661,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 661w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052796_749cb9.jpg?resize=150,100&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 150w\" alt=\"Black smoke rising from a distant site in a barren landscape under a bright sky, indicating an explosion or fire.\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" \/><\/div><figcaption>Iran aired images of where the crash allegedly happened, urging people to hunt down the stranded Americans.<span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The officer\u2019s\u00a0pilot had already been rescued\u00a0just hours after their F-15E was shot down.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not clear what injuries the colonel suffered, but they have been described as serious by US officials.<\/p>\n<p>With the help of the CIA, military officials were able to track the colonel\u2019s equipment to his exact location and confirm his status, according to the Times.<\/p>\n<p>Along with helping tracking the officer, the CIA pulled off a diversion tactic that saw the US plant fake intel that the soldier had already been rescued and was being driven out of Iran, the Times reported.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\">\n<div class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38999438 td-animation-stack-type0-2\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?w=1024\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 4189w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=171,114&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 171w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=160,107&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 160w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=144,96&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 144w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=107,71&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 107w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=93,62&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 93w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=84,56&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 84w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=60,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 60w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=662,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/image-provided-sepahnews-iranian-revolutionary-125052803_7837e5.jpg?resize=150,100&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 150w\" alt=\"Wreckage of a downed American transport plane and two helicopters scattered across a desert landscape under a clear blue sky.\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" \/><\/div><figcaption>Images have emerged of American aircraft that the US was forced to destroy during the rescue operation.<span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When it was time to act, a \u00a0massive broad daylight operation was launched\u00a0involving dozens of aircraft and MQ-9 Reaper drones providing a protective perimeter and striking any hostile forces that got within 2 miles of the airman\u2019s position,\u00a0the Jerusalem Post reported.<\/p>\n<p>The complex operation involved 100 Special Operations forces, led by Seal Team 6, with Delta Force commandos and Army Rangers on standby, according to the Times.<\/p>\n<p>US special ops commandos also engaged in skirmishes with local tribesmen during the hunt for the pilot.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\">\n<div class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38999441 td-animation-stack-type0-2\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?w=1024\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 4133w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?resize=300,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?resize=768,512&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?resize=1024,683&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/president-donald-trump-speaks-iran-124865516.jpg?resize=150,100&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 150w\" alt=\"President Donald Trump speaking about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House.\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" \/><\/div><figcaption>President Trump hailed the successful rescues as he ordered Iran to accept his peace deal come Tuesday.<span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The rescue mission ran into last-minute trouble when two aircraft stationed with a force just south of the city of Isfahan became stuck, forcing the US to dispatch three more aircraft to pick up the stranded forces and destroy the trapped vehicles lest they fall into enemy hands.<\/p>\n<p>The injured airman has been flown to Kuwait for medical treatment in a rescue plane.<\/p>\n<p>Trump, who boasted about the rescue Sunday, said he would hold a news conference with the military at the Oval Office on Monday at 1 p.m. about the successful operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BLOODIED US AIRMAN SURVIVES HARROWING 36-HOUR MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WHILE EVADING IRANIAN BOUNTY HUNTERS WITH ONE FINAL DESPERATE ACT Battered, bleeding, and clutching a jagged mountainside, a US&#8230; 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