Shot Down Over Iran: The Rescue of Dude 44

The rescue of the crew of DUDE 44, an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran, is one of the most complex and dangerous combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations in modern warfare. Retired USAF Colonel and AF Special Operations Command pilot, Buck Walker, breaks down how it happened – from the shootdown to the high-risk mission that brought the crew home. 0:00 welcome back Buck (and a quick reintroduction) 1:35 the genesis (development and decline and resurgence)of CSAR 7:00 burying the ghosts of Op Eagle Claw? 10:38 preparedness? 13:05 timeline (avoiding twattery), initial response and authentication and recovery of Dude 44A 20:55 loss of A-10 and brief confusion over recovery of that pilot 22:14 threats, balancing risk and trying to avoid further losses (videos show a lot of low flying) 28:32 MC vs HC-130 30:40 WSO comes around and walks uphill (after his 2nd ejection in a few weeks!) 34:05 recovery package - force composition, decision making and complicating factors 39:25 oh shit moment (MC-130s gets stuck) 41:08 there are many stories to tell 41:52 hasty planning revisited why DEVGRU and not CAG/Delta? 48:50 radio considerations/capabilities 52:26 CASA(s) and ROLEX? 56:55 chain of command/authorisation 58:08 AC-130? 59:10 A-10 just won’t die! A good thing? 1:01:32 too soon for learning outcomes? 1:05:55 getting philosophical 1:09:30 audience questions - t-stoff 1:10:10 Matthew - cheap mission focussed platforms 1:10:44 SEDLO - low flying/exposure to threat 1:13:35 refuelling the HH-60s - hypothesise on why refuelling ops were so low 1:15:20 DeltaHotel - A-10s with probe/drogue refuelling? 1:18:55 Pinbag 1:19:19 Blair (risks and pro-US forces in theatre?) 1:21:45 Blair (Callsign review for WSO after 2nd ejection?) 1:23:22 Mates (why not CV-22) and Pave Low story 1:28:28 Joe (why a FARP?) 1:29:21 Nick (on scene command) 1:30:50 sanitisation procedures - (ID card left behind at FARP) and social media 1:34:20 wrapping up and thanks (again) Buck