US forces used deception to rescue downed pilots in Iran

US forces employed sophisticated deception tactics to rescue downed F-15E pilots in Iran, including spreading false extraction reports and seizing a secret airstrip. The CIA initiated a disinformation campaign, leaking false coordinates while encrypting true data, and US cyber units spread a false narrative of the crew's departure to confuse Iranian forces. The operation also involved securing an airstrip near Isfahan, using Reaper drones to shield the extraction zone, and destroying the damaged aircraft to prevent classified technology from falling into enemy hands.