A US air armada helped rescue two airmen in Iran after one of their F-15E Strike Eagles was shot down, involving dozens of aircraft, hundreds of personnel and subterfuge.
US President Donald Trump and his officials provided details regarding the mission, which involved sending helicopters, midair refuelers and fighter aircraft deep into Iranian territory.
The US military sent hundreds of personnel and around 176 aircraft for the mission, with the US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine describing it as an 'air armada' that helped pull off a pair of 'incredibly dangerous' extractions.
The rescue mission allegedly used bombers, fighters, refueling tankers, helicopters and unmanned systems, including the A-10 Warthog, HC-130 Combat King II and HH-60 Jolly Green II.
Trump confirmed that 'a lot of it' was meant to confuse and misdirect Iranian forces who were on the hunt for the airmen, with the rescue of the weapons systems officer alone taking '155 aircraft'.
The search and rescue operation had begun in daylight over Iran, with helicopters and other aircraft flying low for seven hours, facing 'very, very heavy enemy fire'.
