The US F-15 fighter jet was brought down in Iran by a shoulder-fired missile, leading to the rescue of two airmen. The six-week U.S. campaign against Iran has reportedly devastated the country's military, eliminating its navy and air force, and damaging missile sites and launchers. The Iranian regime also sent thousands of its own military forces into the region to locate the missing airman, but the rescue mission was delayed by Iran's own forces. The CIA successfully identified the location of the second airman hiding in mountainous terrain. The operation involved over 20 military aircraft and a deception campaign to convince Iranian forces that the Air Force officer had already been rescued.