The combat search and rescue (CSAR) for the downed F-15E weapons systems operator (WSO) nicknamed “Wizzo” was the most talked about event of the Iran War 2026.
CSARs are carried out during war or peace, within or near combat zones, or across adversary territory to recover a downed aircrew.
A CSAR mission may be carried out by a task force of helicopters, Special Operations transport aircraft, ground-attack aircraft, aerial refueling tankers, and an airborne command post.
The United States Air Force (USAF) HC-130, introduced in 1965, has served in the latter two roles.
Initial CSAR Operations
Early in the First World War, the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) formed its Armored Car Section, initially equipping it with armed and armored touring cars. The primary role of these vehicles was to locate and rescue aircrew who had been forced down behind enemy lines.
These were later hampered by trench warfare, which made this impossible.
World War I also saw the initial development of CSAR doctrine, especially in the more fluid theatres of war in the Balkans and the Middle East. In 1915, during World War I, Squadron Commander Richard Bell-Davies of the British Royal Navy performed the first-ever CSAR mission by aircraft.
He used his single-seat airplane to rescue his wingman, who had been shot down in Bulgaria. Like subsequent search and rescue efforts, Davies’ action sprang from the fervent desire to keep a compatriot from capture or death at the hands of the enemy.
During World War II, the Luftwaffe (the German air force) operated armed, camouflaged air-sea rescue aircraft. In the First Indochina War, French physician, pilot, and parachutist Valérie André pioneered MEDEVAC tactics, a precursor to what is known as CSAR today, by flying helicopters into combat zones to retrieve or sometimes treat injured soldiers.
In August 1943, a US wing flight surgeon and two combat surgical technicians parachuted from search planes in the Naga area of Burma to assist and care for the injured.
At the same time, a ground team was sent to their location, and all twenty walked to safety. Although parachute rescues were not officially authorized at the time, this is considered to be the birth of USAF Para-Rescue.
CSAR in Vietnam & Later
The rescue of “Bat 21 Bravo”, the call sign for “Gene” Hambleton (a navigator aboard an EB-66C aircraft shot down behind North Vietnamese lines), was the “largest, longest, and most complex search-and-rescue” operation during the Vietnam War.
Five additional aircraft were shot down during rescue attempts, directly resulting in the deaths of 11 airmen, the capture of two others, and another airman trying to evade capture.
The additional deaths, loss of aircraft, and length of the rescue operation led the USAF to change how it planned and conducted search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. They developed new techniques and equipment to improve their ability to rescue downed airmen.
They recognized that if a SAR mission was predestined to fail, it should not be attempted, and that other options, such as special operations, diversionary tactics, and creative approaches, had to be considered.
From the Vietnam CSAR experience, the US military improved the night capabilities of helicopters and area-denial munitions. During the Vietnam War, US SAR missions saved 3,883 lives at the cost of 71 rescuers and 45 aircraft.
During the opening moments of Operation Desert Storm, an MH-53 Pave Low crew from the 20th Special Operations Squadron recovered an F-14 Tomcat pilot who was shot down over Iraq.
On June 2, 1995, a USAF F-16C was shot down by a Bosnian SA-6 surface-to-air missile near Mrkonjić Grad. The American pilot ejected safely and was rescued six days later.
In 1999, members of USAF Para-Rescue, along with Air Force Special Operations recovery aircraft, successfully rescued the pilot of an F-117 “stealth” attack aircraft, and the pilot of an F-16 fighter aircraft shot down over Yugoslavia.
CSAR Mission Iran War 2026
A US F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran by Iranian forces on 3 April 2026. A CSAR operation was conducted by the US Armed Forces to recover the two crew members.
The pilot’s personal survival radio and Personnel Recovery Device (PRD) activated automatically, transmitting encrypted burst signals via SATCOM, which were captured by the Cospas-SARSAT series of satellites.
Nearby US ISR assets-likely a mix of RQ-4 Global Hawk, E-3 AWACS, and fighter data-links would also have acquired the beacon.
Within 15 minutes, a dedicated CSAR package comprising an MC-130J Combat King II, designed for C2 and fuel dispensing, and a pair of HH-60W Black Hawk helicopters for low-level clandestine operations deep inside hostile territory, was dispatched to locate the crew within Iranian territory.
These were vectored in under F-35/ F-15E fighter escort. Within hours, the pilot (front seat) was successfully located, and US Special Forces extracted and returned him to friendly control.
The weapon systems officer (WSO) who had landed a little away escaped into the nearby mountains, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), US CSAR personnel, and the local nomadic tribesmen searched for him. Hundreds of US Special Operations forces were involved, and a temporary makeshift airstrip was reportedly built inside Iranian territory to support CSAR operations.
WSO’s initial beacon ping registered with satellites before going silent-likely due to deliberate battery conservation, terrain masking in the deep valleys, or avoiding possible Iranian electronic warfare attempts. Isolated, the WSO relied on USAF SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training using a map, a compass, evasion routes preplanned during the mission briefing, and a small survival vest containing signaling devices, water purification, and a medical kit.
The WSO was recovered by elite US forces. It has been described as “one of the most challenging and complex missions in the history of US special operations”. The operation directly involved hundreds of US soldiers and dozens of aircraft, including MC-130Js, Black Hawks, Pave Hawks, and Apaches.
Iran claimed multiple aircraft were shot down during the operation. The US acknowledged the shoot-down of one of its A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, and the intentional destruction of two of its Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and four MH-6, in order to avoid capture.
No US troops were injured or killed in the rescue. Iran later claimed the “operation may have been a deceptive plan to steal enriched uranium” of Iran’s nuclear program, and compared the operation to the 1980 Operation Eagle Claw, the last publicly acknowledged US military ground operation in Iran.
There continues to be debate on how much a country should risk while trying to extricate the downed aircrew.
Operation Eagle Claw
Operation Eagle Claw was a failed US attempt to rescue 53 embassy staff held captive by Revolutionary Iran on 24 April 1980. It was ordered by US President Jimmy Carter.
The operation encountered many obstacles and failures and was subsequently aborted. Eight helicopters were sent to the first staging area in the Great Salt Desert called Desert One, but only five arrived in operational condition.
One had encountered hydraulic problems, another was caught in a sand storm, and the third showed signs of a cracked rotor blade. During operational planning, it was decided that the mission would be aborted if fewer than six helicopters remained operational upon arrival at the Desert One site, even though only four were absolutely necessary. In a move that is still discussed in military circles, the field commanders advised President Carter to abort the mission, which he did.
As the US forces prepared to withdraw from Desert One, one of the remaining helicopters crashed into a transport aircraft that contained both servicemen and jet fuel. The resulting fire destroyed both aircraft and killed eight servicemen.
Indian Aircraft Down
IAF’s Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Abhinandan Varthaman VrC was captured by Pakistan on February 27, 2019, after his MiG-21 Bison was shot down in a dogfight over the Line of Control, a day after the Balakot airstrikes. Abhinandan shot down a Pakistani F-16 with his MiG-21 before being shot down himself.
He ejected and landed in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, approximately 7 km from the Line of Control. It was a populated area, and his ejection had been monitored on radar; the parachute was visible well before he touched down. He was initially apprehended and assaulted by local villagers before being taken into custody by Pakistan Army soldiers. He was released 58 hours later on March 1, 2019.
The release had been managed by intense high-stakes diplomatic and strategic pressure from India. India used coercive diplomacy. India demanded the pilot’s unconditional and safe return, signaling a potential escalation if he was not returned safely. Abhinandan was escorted and handed over at the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar, Punjab, in a highly televised ceremony.
If Abhinandan had landed in a secluded area, he would have acted in accordance with the Jungle and Snow Survival training he received during his initial years in service. IAF would have then launched a CSAR mission.
Sqn Ldr Ahuja’s Ejection
Squadron leader Ajay Ahuja VrC was a fighter pilot of the IAF who was killed in action during the Kargil War between India and Pakistan in 1999. His MiG-21 was hit by a Pakistani shoulder-fired FIM-92 Stinger near Kargil in India.
Ahuja ejected from the aircraft and parachuted onto the ground in Pak-controlled Kashmir. He was captured and subsequently killed by Pakistan troops.
While Pakistan rejected these events, a post-mortem report conducted on Ahuja’s body after it was recovered and returned to India showed that he had a fractured knee alongside two fatal bullet wounds to his head and chest. Since he was captured immediately on landing, the CSAR operation could not be launched.
Jungle & Snow Survival Training in India
Jungle and snow survival training in India ranges from intensive military courses to civilian adventure workshops. Key programs include the IAF’s Jungle & Snow Survival School (J&SS School), Bandhavgarh-based civil jungle survival training, and high-altitude courses in the Himalayas.
Participants learn essential skills like shelter building, fire-making, foraging, and wilderness navigation. Living off the land, water, and food involves identifying edible plants, finding and purifying water, and catching game in the wilderness.
IAF trains aircrew on survival techniques if forced down, covering both dense forest and snowy terrains. Handling medical emergencies in the wilderness and building a strong survival mindset.
The Indian Army conducts extreme-cold, snowy-terrain survival training in the Eastern Himalayas for soldiers, focusing on combat mastery and survival at extreme altitudes. Being able to hide from the enemy and defend oneself with personal weapons in case of attack.
IAF’s Survival & Rescue Equipment
The IAF utilizes a wide array of sophisticated survival and rescue equipment to support aircrew in emergencies and conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
This equipment ranges from personal gear for pilots to specialized tools for search-and-rescue (SAR) missions across varied terrains, such as mountains, deserts, and the sea.
IAF aircrew are equipped with gear designed to enhance survivability in the event of an ejection or forced landing. These include flame-resistant flight suits (overalls), winter jackets, and inner vests/drawers. Specialized flying gloves. Specialized flight and cold-weather boots. They wear a survival jacket/vest. Essential items for immediate survival include emergency rations, water purification tablets, signaling mirrors, flares, and medical supplies.
The crew has a Pilot Locator Beacon (PLB) that can selectively transmit encrypted signals on designated confidential frequencies. It can also be used for communication with rescue aircraft.
IAF pilots carry a sidearm, typically a pistol, such as the 9mm Makarov, as part of their personal survival equipment during combat missions to ensure self-defense in case of ejection over hostile territory.
Search and Rescue (SAR) Equipment on Aircraft
The Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) are on board the crashed aircraft. These devices are designed to activate on impact and automatically broadcast a distress signal on dedicated frequencies.
The Search and Rescue (SAR) aircraft can home in on the ELT signal. The Su-30MKI is equipped with advanced electro-optical and infrared targeting pods that allow it to scan large areas from high altitudes, both day and night.
The aircraft’s radar and EO/IR pods can detect thermal signatures and small metallic objects on the ground, making them efficient at spotting crashed aircraft or downed aircrew.
The IAF’s Garud Special Forces units use advanced equipment for CSAR and special operations. Helicopters and personnel are equipped with Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) and Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) systems for night CSAR operations.
The IAF constantly upgrades this equipment to maintain high standards of flight safety and mission readiness, as demonstrated by the use of advanced personal protection and rescue tools.
If the downed pilot is very close across the border, IAF would use armor-reinforced M-17-1V helicopters escorted by the Apache attack helicopters for CSAR. Deeper missions may use C-130-J.
IAF’s Hercules C-130J Special Equipment
IAF’s C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft are heavily modified tactical transport planes specifically configured for special operations, high-altitude insertions, and CSAR. They have an Infrared Detection Set (IDS) that allows precision low-level flying, night operations, and landing in complete blackout conditions.
Advanced self-protection systems are integrated to ensure aircraft survivability in hostile air-defense environments. Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensors enable the aircrew to scan runways for obstructions and hostile forces before landing on unlit or degraded surfaces.
The modern glass cockpit is fully compatible with Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), enabling safe night-time tactical operations. They are equipped with a refueling probe to facilitate long-range operations and extended endurance.
The C-130J can be rapidly converted into an air ambulance using a Patient Transfer Unit (PTU) equipped with ventilators, multi-para monitors, defibrillators, infusion pumps, suction machines, and onboard oxygen cylinders. The C-130J-30 is a “stretched” variant that can carry 128 combat troops, 97 litters (stretchers), or 8 pallets of cargo, allowing for massive personnel or equipment drops.
They are modified to operate from austere, high-elevation airstrips (e.g., landing at Daulat Beg Oldi at 16,614 feet). The aircraft is ideal for low-level night insertions and CSAR.
On the night of April 27-28, 2023, the IAF executed a daring rescue, landing a C-130J Hercules on an abandoned, unlit airstrip at Wadi Sayyidna near Khartoum, Sudan. Pilots used night vision goggles and electro-optical/infrared sensors to land, evacuating 121 people amid high-risk, war-torn conditions during “Operation Kaveri”.
India Planning to Build Unmanned CSAR Aircraft
The Indian government is planning the design and development of an unmanned combat search-and-rescue aircraft for the IAF, intended to rescue aircrew in hostile environments without risking manned aircraft.
The project has reportedly been approved in principle and is expected to strengthen both combat readiness and India’s defense self-reliance. The UAV will be designed primarily to deploy and ferry logistical materials and other supplies in forward areas and inhospitable terrain, including snowbound heights, where conventional helicopters struggle.
The runway-independent UAV should be able to autonomously take off, navigate, and land, and search for and locate targets. It will operate from unprepared surfaces and fly in GNSS-denied conditions.
It will combine AI-driven autonomy, all-weather resilience, and combat utility. The system will be able to carry up to 400 kg, including stretchers and four personnel, and will integrate an ELT to locate and rescue aircrew. It will be capable of operating from sea level to 16,000 ft, with an extendable range to 20,000 ft. It will have a radius of action of at least 200 km and a loiter time of 45 minutes.
Under the ‘Make-I’ category, the government will fund 70 percent of the development costs, with Indian vendors covering the remaining 30 percent. After development, procurement will be under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM), Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured route. At least 50 percent of the materials, components, and software content would have to be indigenous.
To Summarise
The CSAR missions are considered among the most complex, time-sensitive operations that militaries prepare for. In the US, elite units of the air force are specially trained for CSAR missions and are often pre-emptively deployed near conflict areas where aircraft could be lost.
Put simply, CSAR missions are military operations aimed at finding, aiding, and potentially rescuing personnel in need, including downed pilots and isolated troops. In contrast to conventional SAR, which could take place during humanitarian operations or after disasters, CSAR missions occur in hostile or contested environments.
Modern air forces, including the IAF, are equipped for CSAR missions. They routinely prepare and train for possible CSAR missions. CSAR missions are often conducted by helicopters, with refueling aircraft in support and other military aircraft on hand to conduct strikes and patrol the area.
Time-sensitivity because enemy forces would likely be deployed in the same area to try and locate the same personnel the CSAR teams are trying to rescue. Capturing crew members is invariably a “huge prize” as they offer a “very powerful bargaining chip”.
The downed crew members’ ability to survive in a hostile and highly threatened environment is very important. It is the ultimate test of his survival training.
Satellite-based ISR imagery and secure communications are very important. Special Forces and para-rescue jumpers could be involved in delivering medical aid and supporting the rescue mission.
They are known as the “Swiss Army knives of the Air Force.” While each military branch has its own limited CSAR capabilities, the air force has the primary responsibility for finding and rescuing military personnel.
Meticulous planning, technological overmatch, and disciplined execution are hallmarks. Aircrew survival kits are routinely reviewed. Survival training is reinforced. SERE discipline at the individual level, and layered ISR with real-time kinetic response at the organization level are important.
Deception has often to be deployed to shape the battle-space. Destruction of compromised aircraft on the ground underscored equipment denial protocols.
The official US para-rescue motto is “These Things We Do, That Others May Live”. It is considered part of a broader promise to service members that “Leave No Man Behind” is more than a military protocol.
- Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retired) is an Indian Air Force veteran, fighter test pilot, and ex-director-general of the Center for Air Power Studies. He has been decorated with gallantry and distinguished service medals during his 40-year tenure in the IAF.
- THIS IS AN OPINION ARTICLE. VIEWS PERSONAL OF THE AUTHOR
- He tweets @Chopsyturvey
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