Aviation News – U.S. military commanders ordered the destruction of two stranded MC-130J Comando II transport aircraft and four MH-6 Little Bird helicopters in Iran after a complex rescue operation, preventing sensitive equipment from falling into hostile hands.
The incident occurred after two C-130 Hercules planes became immobilized at a remote refueling point inside Iran during an extraction mission. Following the successful rescue of a weapons officer, commanders faced a critical decision when the aircraft could not be recovered.
To complete the mission, three additional C-130 aircraft were deployed to evacuate all personnel. The original planes were subsequently destroyed on-site to avoid capture, highlighting the risks involved in operating deep within contested territory.
The F-15E Strike Eagle WSO managed to evade hostile forces for more than 24 hours, including by hiding in a mountain crevice. At one point, he climbed a mountain ridge reaching an altitude of 2,100 meters, the official told the newspaper.
The F-15E fighter jet was shot down in a region of Iran where there is significant opposition to the Iranian government. The air force officer therefore believes the pilot may have received help from local residents.
The CIA launched a deception campaign to confuse Iranian forces and convince them that the pilot had already been rescued and was leaving the country in a ground convoy. The intelligence agency ultimately located the crew member’s hiding place and passed the information to the Pentagon, which then organized the rescue operation.