As always, the content of this blog is a compendium of multiple media reports supplemented by my personal opinion where indicated.
Truly, it was an “Easter Miracle.” After two harrowing days the US rescued an airman who had been shot down deep in Iranian territory. As has been widely reported the rescue was a joint effort on the part of the CIA and several branches of the military. It was an extremely perilous and complicated undertaking, and it could only have been achieved due to the US’s overwhelming air superiority.
Below please find a brief summary of the rescue operation:
- Last Thursday night the Iranian media jubilantly crowed that it had shot down a US F-15E jet on a bombing run over Iran. Both the pilot and the weapons officer managed to eject as the jet went down.
- The pilot was rescued quickly. The weapons officer could not be located.
- It was a desperate situation. The Iranians were hunting him as well as the Americans. The government was offering a reward of $60,000, which was very tempting as it is more than ten times the income of the average Iranian household. If captured he would represent a huge coup for Iran militarily, intelligence-wise, and politically. President Trump and his administration would have been vilified by his critics, his political opponents, and in the media, which had already been criticizing the war. It could have impacted negatively his entire administration and the 2016 midterm elections. We just HAD to find him first.
- Although injured and lacking food and water the pilot managed to evade capture for some 48 hours. He was able to climb a 7,000-foot mountain and find a hiding space in a crevice. According to Dr. Joe Siegel although a human can survive for days without food, water is critically necessary. How the pilot managed to survive is remarkable.
- After finding a safe hiding spot he activated his emergency beacon that all pilots carry, which enabled the US to get a “fix” on his location.
- Meanwhile, the CIA commenced a “deception” campaign aimed at misleading Iranian forces, which were also hunting extensively for the downed officer, as to his location even implying that he had been already rescued.
- The US immediately launched an extensive rescue operation employing the CIA, various branches of the military including dozens of various types of aircraft, such as helicopters, drones, warthogs and jets, and personnel from all branches of the military. Fortuitously, we had a detailed rescue plan for this type of situation. It was a real team effort against difficult odds.
- We found him ahead of the Iranians, and by Friday afternoon he was safe and sound and being treated for his medical issues.
In separate but related developments:
- The president warned Iran that its bridges and power plants could be devastated Tuesday unless it reopens the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has rejected his ultimatums over the strait in the past. It has been employing the “Iranian rope-a-dope” tactic for which it has been known. Delay, delay, delay. We’ll see what happens, but Iran would be well-advised to take Trump’s warning seriously. His past actions indicate that he says what he means and means what he says.
- The permanent resident statuses of slain Iranian Revolutionary Guard Major Gen. Qasem Soleimani’s niece and grandniece, who were living the high life in Los Angeles, were terminated. They were arrested and are facing deportation back to Iran. Hasta La Vista!
Conclusion
It is important for everyone to recognize the incredible achievement of the foregoing rescue operation. Firstly, in anticipation of this type of situation we had a viable rescue plan already in place and people who were well-trained to implement it. Secondly, the operation was carried out deeply inside Iran in a remote area. Finally, and most significantly, we succeeded in rescuing the officer. As Trump pronounced on Sunday, “This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory,” “WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!” Contrast that with President Biden who left thousands of loyal Afghanis behind to face a certain death when we fled the country.
Like I said, a true “EASTER MIRACLE.” (I can’t imagine the Biden Administration pulling this off.) Someday this operation could very well be made into a movie.
And what of all the Trump critics, haters and naysayers. As I write this, I have not heard one peep from them denigrating this operation (even though many of them would have been pleased to see it fail). That said, they have not been entirely at a loss for words. They continue to mischaracterize the strategic importance of this war either out of ignorance or TDS. I believe that, incredibly, many of them are secretly hoping we lose it because it will damage Trump regardless of the ramifications for America and the world as a whole. Can you imagine that?! Moreover, many of them have been criticizing his “threatening” and “escalating” comments regarding the Hormuz Strait and “inappropriate” language toward the Iranians, for example using the “F” word and the “B” word.”
As I have said more than once this war is necessary. Iran CANNOT be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. End of story.
To all the critics I say your children and grandchildren will thank you.
We Built It Blog by Larry Jacob 