CIA deception operation rescues both F-15E crew members from Iran

The CIA launched a deception campaign spreading false intelligence within Iran that both F-15E crew members had already been found, confusing Iranian search teams as U.S. forces conducted the actual rescue. The weapon systems officer was found hiding in a mountain crevice in the Zagros Mountains; a 155-aircraft rescue force including four bombers extracted him overnight April 4-5. Four Iranian Army officers including Brigadier General Masoud Zare were killed in a U.S. airstrike during the operation. The pilot had been rescued seven hours after the jet was shot down on April 3.