Both military personnel are already out of the country after an intervention that included air cover and confrontations
Operation completed after more than 36 hours
The rescue has occurred after more than one day of search in an area controlled by Iranian forces.
Both crew members managed to eject after the downing of the plane and maintained contact through their communication systems.
The first pilot was located a few hours later. The second required a more prolonged operation.
Direct intervention in Iranian territory
The mission was executed by a specialized unit of commandos, with a wide deployment of air support.
During the operation, U.S. forces carried out attacks to prevent Iranian Revolutionary Guard units from reaching the area.
According to the sources, the objective was to secure the extraction before Iran located the second crew member.
Combat during the rescue
The operation was not exempt from clashes.
During the first rescue, an American Black Hawk helicopter was hit by Iranian fire, with several crew members wounded, although the aircraft was able to continue.
In the second phase, the United States launched aerial fire to block the advance of Iranian forces.
Monitoring from the White House
President Donald Trump and his team followed the operation in real time from the Situation Room.
The mission became a strategic priority after the downing of the F-15, considered one of the most critical scenarios for the Pentagon.
The key: avoiding capture
The main risk was that the Revolutionary Guard would find the pilots first.
That scenario would have had an immediate political and military impact.
The speed of the operation has been determinant.