A military pilot’s perspective on downed pilot rescue in Iran Easter weekend
An evening pause: The details of the amazing search & rescue effort to recover a downed American pilot in Iran last weekend has been covered quite thoroughly in the media, especially the alternative press. This video gives us the compelling perspective of the men and women who made that rescue happen. Even if you oppose Trump’s present actions against Iran, Steeve’s reveals a fundamental aspect of the American way of war that illustrates again the best part of America. The key quote, “Will you be worth the trip?”
Hat tip Mike Nelson.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
An evening pause: The details of the amazing search & rescue effort to recover a downed American pilot in Iran last weekend has been covered quite thoroughly in the media, especially the alternative press. This video gives us the compelling perspective of the men and women who made that rescue happen. Even if you oppose Trump’s present actions against Iran, Steeve’s reveals a fundamental aspect of the American way of war that illustrates again the best part of America. The key quote, “Will you be worth the trip?”
Hat tip Mike Nelson.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
A-10s played a role…the “antiquated, obsolete” platform the Air Force would rather kill than give to the Army.
But if they have their own CAS…. can’t have that:
https://www.twz.com/17332/the-usaf-has-finally-released-a-glowing-film-about-the-a-10-it-tried-to-suppress
I need to punch a wall
Try drywall. Easy on the hand, impressive hole, easy to repair.
One of those half hour videos that one expects to be something of a slog which ultimately turns out to just suddenly end long before expected. And you are left with the primary message of the thing firmly hammered in, which if you can forget it, well, you’re just a [deleted] and no one can help you. Call me a squish if you wish, but [deleted] this that brings me to the edge of tears in ‘that’ particular way – I can’t explain. Regardless, thanks for that, and here’s to hoping it reaches more of the uninformed.
The Air Force offered the Army the A-10 three times. Every time the Army said that they don’t want the associated costs.
A story EVERY young man should hear.
The satellite photography of the wreckage doesn’t lie. Perhaps those that haven’t taken a SERE course won’t understand they don’t send in this much equipment for one person. Pilot should have a satellite beacon and a Blackhawk with aircover is dispatched. Never ever ever do 2 Hercules with small birds and wheels land to extract a single pilot. This was a botched operation to secure the uranium. (Check your GPS coordinates distance to Istafan). (and how in the world did an injured pilot travel 102 KM in one day?) They failed. USAFA grad, BTW. I took SERE.
Unless you hit a stud.
Shades of 79
Wasn’t this what Osprey was for?
I would think some in Iraq would love to exploit all this.
Still some bad blood due to the War of the cities
“Black Thursday: The 2nd Raid on Ball-Bearing Production at Schweinfurt”
October 14, 1943
https://youtu.be/qAbV5xhieAU
15:12
“60 B-17’s were lost, 17 more were damaged beyond repair, and around 650 airmen were either killed, captured, or missing.”
Disagree w/George. WSO did have a beacon, which is how they found him. You don’t send this much equipment after one guy unless you are trying to make a point. What that point actually is is debatable based on your POV. The point might have simply been that we can do what we want to do anywhere we want to do it including setting up a hasty airstrip an hour away from your most sensitive military site (think of this happening an hour away from Groom Lake).
Best example of a huge CSAR was the response to the seizure of the Mayaguez by Cambodia 51 years ago. The Powers That Be chose negotiation. The guys in the air had other ideas and ran the SAR to successfully get the crew released. We didn’t get all our guys out on that one. Some of it was quite ugly. This is legendary in the FAC community.
I am sure that there will be loads of conspiracy theories regarding the action. It will take a while for the truth to trickle out.
BTW, you aren’t the only one with SERE / CSAR training / experience on this board. Cheers –
George
April 11, 2026 at 6:06 am
…they don’t send in this much equipment for one person. …
Bullhockey. Particularly when the opportunity to kill a LOT of bad guys coincides with that mission.
USAFA grad, BTW. I took SERE.
I taught SERE at USAFA. (As well as going through it.)
Now, it might be there was a grand deception here to attempt some other mission. But the evidence you present doesn’t prove it. (Partly because I think you’re wrong on at least one fact – because there were a lot of things said that were, at best, confused over the first 72 hours.)
And, even if it does, it doesn’t mean they didn’t go in to get that WSO because he’s valuable.
Mike Porter: I have deleted the obscenity in your comment. I was tempted to just delete the whole comment, as you clearly didn’t read the very obvious rules for commenting, but decided this appears to be the first time you have commented here.
If you wish to debase yourself and appear like a barbarian with foul language, you are welcome to do so everywhere else, as we watch our civilization fall to savagery. At my website I expect people to behave like civilized adults.
You are warned.
Robert Zimmerman
April 11, 2026 at 9:16 am
Mike Porter: I have deleted the obscenity in your comment.
You missed the first obscenity in that comment. And thank you for not simply shutting him off the first time. You’re a good host.
GWB: Gosh, you are right. I have deleted that obscenity as well.
Ugh. Why do people these days want to sound like barbarians?
Bob–completely agree with your no-vulgarity policy. Was just discussing with my wife how much we absolutely hate how coarse public presentation in general has become, especially in how people dress. She works at a public high school where many non-PE teachers –teachers!—show up daily in gym shorts and T shirts. I also see sloppy sweat pants and T shirts daily at a major defense contractor. Add the foul language on top of that and it is demoralizing. Public decorum is so important for a civil society and its degradation is a major symptom of our decline.
Thanks for posting Capt. Steve’s video. I’ve been watching him for a while, but missed that one. Very powerful and moving message. I hope he tracks down that Marine Drill Sergeant and interviews him or his survivors and fellow Marines.
I don’t get all these young teachers coming on to kids.
My teachers were mean and ugly—as intended.
I never played with kids my own age….preferring the company of adults.
Sad
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4eHR5AlbvZz9SQP6s4AoWf
Concerned, my dad held the position of Special Assistant to the Vice President of Operations at company headquarters of a Fortune 500 company in Manhattan. Men were expected to wear suits and to wear the jackets if they were out of their office, even if it was for a trip to the watercooler. Women were expected to dress like ladies -not dowdy, there were miniskirt s, this was the Sixties and Seventies, When I met him for lunch when on college break, he suggested I wear a sport coat – also appropriate for the steak house we went down in the Financial District.
BTW, I once asked him what a Special Assistant did – ‘I’m the company troubleshooter, I find who is making trouble and shoot them.’