Evacuating the ‘Dudes’: How US pulled off a high-risk rescue of F-15 pilots in Iran
It began before dawn on April 3, when a US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, call sign Dude 44, was struck mid-air over Iran. Within minutes, the two crew members ejected into hostile territory, triggering one of the most complex combat search and rescue missions in recent military history.What followed was a two-day, high-risk operation…