Iran


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From: Montana


Joined: Jun 2009
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From: florida
Salute!
Yeah, Orac-acle, they don't care who they piss off.
Remember, they fly airplanes into buildings and blow themselves up at Jewish weddings.
Gums sends...
P.S. when I did the helo escort for a living, we never escorted more than maybe 100 miles, and rv'd with Jolly out there and so only low and in the small arms envelope near road and villes for what? 20 minutes plus time over the survivor. When I had to bring in the backup Jolly one day we were about 15 miles from the survivor in a valley with no bad guys around . Still trying to get my tape on You Tube as I lost my URL site to a hacker. It has actual timing and such of real SAR.
Yeah, Orac-acle, they don't care who they piss off.
Remember, they fly airplanes into buildings and blow themselves up at Jewish weddings.
Gums sends...
P.S. when I did the helo escort for a living, we never escorted more than maybe 100 miles, and rv'd with Jolly out there and so only low and in the small arms envelope near road and villes for what? 20 minutes plus time over the survivor. When I had to bring in the backup Jolly one day we were about 15 miles from the survivor in a valley with no bad guys around . Still trying to get my tape on You Tube as I lost my URL site to a hacker. It has actual timing and such of real SAR.


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From: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA

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From: Dublin


Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA
The raid on OBL’s house seems complicated, but afterwards, I think it was McChrystal who said we were several similar raids and it wasn’t the most complex one, just the highest profile.

Joined: May 1999
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
You mentioned untrained eye, do you have a background in CSAR?
Briefing with some CSAR folks at Incirlik, they were appalled at the woeful level of equipment the RAF carried for survival, likening it to the level the US had in Vietnam...... I hope that things are better these days?



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From: surfing, watching for sharks
https://www.twz.com/news-features/ho...359MPp55XlpAKQ
The rescue of the F-15E weapon systems officer (WSO) missing in Iran after his fighter was shot down was one of the most complex and dangerous missions the U.S. military can undertake. These kinds of operations can come in many forms. In this case, before the WSO was finally recovered from the mountain crevice where he was hiding, a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) deep inside enemy territory had to be rapidly set up and secured so that it could act as a staging area for the aircraft, equipment and troops taking part in the mission. This is an exact mission set U.S. special operations forces train for extensively.
To get more insights about how such a FARP would be set up and operated, we reached out to Kyle Rempfer, a former Special Tactics Squadron (STS) airman who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. STS units are an elite cadre of operators who work to control aircraft in the air, including from airfields they establish deep inside contested territory, and direct airpower onto the enemy, among other duties, including rescuing personnel trapped behind enemy lines. They are often paired with special operations units, such as SEALs, Delta Force and Rangers, to bring their unique skills to their missions.
To get more insights about how such a FARP would be set up and operated, we reached out to Kyle Rempfer, a former Special Tactics Squadron (STS) airman who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. STS units are an elite cadre of operators who work to control aircraft in the air, including from airfields they establish deep inside contested territory, and direct airpower onto the enemy, among other duties, including rescuing personnel trapped behind enemy lines. They are often paired with special operations units, such as SEALs, Delta Force and Rangers, to bring their unique skills to their missions.
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 7th April 2026 at 00:42. Reason: How difficult is it to add a partial quote, eh?


Joined: Jun 2009
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From: florida
Salute!
Correct, Beagle.
And I haven't seen anyone else here with any background in CSAR besides me, much less having actually flown escort and pickup cover when getting shot at. If so, we can trade war stories.
I have kept up with the bidness, andlast 40 years for I have had neighbors within two houses that have flown the helos or special 130's or parachuted into northern Iraq as a combat control troop that rode around with folks of the "northern alliance" or dropped one of the big bombs on Saddam's troops. Plus being with my unit and school orgs. So that's where I come from.
Gums sends...
Correct, Beagle.
And I haven't seen anyone else here with any background in CSAR besides me, much less having actually flown escort and pickup cover when getting shot at. If so, we can trade war stories.
I have kept up with the bidness, andlast 40 years for I have had neighbors within two houses that have flown the helos or special 130's or parachuted into northern Iraq as a combat control troop that rode around with folks of the "northern alliance" or dropped one of the big bombs on Saddam's troops. Plus being with my unit and school orgs. So that's where I come from.
Gums sends...



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From: surfing, watching for sharks

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From: Toronto
FWIW could us Brits have carried out a rescue. Probably but it wouldn't have been quite so stunning.It would likely have involved 4 Operators in a taxi with a local guide, a lot of tea, a great deal of walking and some backhanders to some local dignitary.

But Bibi is wise enough not to upstage his unwitting puppet


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From: Dublin
I did, "Can anyone explain why the HH-60's or V-22's weren't towed into and out of the the area by the MC-130's, the distance from Kuwait doesn't seam to warrant the establishment of a FARP, deployment of MH-6's etc"
Also, I was under the impression this is a Rumour website



Joined: Apr 2001
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From: surfing, watching for sharks
I did, "Can anyone explain why the HH-60's or V-22's weren't towed into and out of the the area by the MC-130's, the distance from Kuwait doesn't seam to warrant the establishment of a FARP, deployment of MH-6's etc"
Also, I was under the impression this is a Rumour website
Also, I was under the impression this is a Rumour website
”would appear an overly complex mission to recover one individual”
”seams far fetched”


Joined: Jun 2009
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From: florida
Salute!
Well, General, 300 miles there and back is too far and long at 150 kts, ya think? So fly in some small, speedy things that specialize in sneaky things. Scarf up the good guy and beat feet.
A raid from Iraq would be better, but too many folks that have a poor opinion on the U.S. and could be a problem.
So fly in using the special 130's that have been doing it since 'nam, and use the Delta or SEAL guys and small, nimble helos.
Still working the audio upload, but I can send the two recordings to someone with a URL. One is 6 min and other about 11 min.
Gums sends...
Well, General, 300 miles there and back is too far and long at 150 kts, ya think? So fly in some small, speedy things that specialize in sneaky things. Scarf up the good guy and beat feet.
A raid from Iraq would be better, but too many folks that have a poor opinion on the U.S. and could be a problem.
So fly in using the special 130's that have been doing it since 'nam, and use the Delta or SEAL guys and small, nimble helos.
Still working the audio upload, but I can send the two recordings to someone with a URL. One is 6 min and other about 11 min.
Gums sends...




Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Land of Oz
In the meantime, we have knowledgeable contributors here.
ORAC is keeping us updated with general - and sometimes quite detailed - progress.
Old Gums is relating his experience with CSAR, and some snippets from his present locality.
And tdracer and West Coast both provide a balanced perspective from technical and experienced backgrounds.
I am surprised that the msm talking-heads aren't tapping in to give some credence to their "expert analysis".
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 7th April 2026 at 04:55. Reason: Remove unwarranted comments about another PPRuNer

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From: Oz
I would think that the CEO of MD Helicopters is smiling quietly to himself. 4 of your product at the very pointy end of the most audatious rescue in history (well that's how the public will see it).


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From: florida
Salute!
Thank you, Bads!
I apologize if I get tired sometimes and let loose, but this event and a plethora of uninfomed comments requires it.
I appreciate being able to see the opinions as well as the ignorance of the many folks here from other countries, believe me. However, I am not going to attempt to change their minds or beliefs.
I only present my own view based on my own lifetime experience and what I can glean from historical reports and analysis of the same events in which I participated! Yep, due to timing and my profession I was involved in many historical events since the 60's, primarily military-oriented. So that's where I come from.
I only ask to be tolerated, but to be warned if I have crossed some line or insulted someone or some creed, race, religion, etc.
If you think I am damned proud of what many brave souls of my profession, my country did a few days ago to save one of our own, then a direct hit. And I recall the gist of a quote by a historical aviator/warrior of LW fame and the use of high tech stuff by U.S. rescue forces that others dream of.
Only the spirit of attack born in a brave heart will bring success to any weapon system no matter how highly developed it may be.
Gums sends...
Thank you, Bads!
I apologize if I get tired sometimes and let loose, but this event and a plethora of uninfomed comments requires it.
I appreciate being able to see the opinions as well as the ignorance of the many folks here from other countries, believe me. However, I am not going to attempt to change their minds or beliefs.
I only present my own view based on my own lifetime experience and what I can glean from historical reports and analysis of the same events in which I participated! Yep, due to timing and my profession I was involved in many historical events since the 60's, primarily military-oriented. So that's where I come from.
I only ask to be tolerated, but to be warned if I have crossed some line or insulted someone or some creed, race, religion, etc.
If you think I am damned proud of what many brave souls of my profession, my country did a few days ago to save one of our own, then a direct hit. And I recall the gist of a quote by a historical aviator/warrior of LW fame and the use of high tech stuff by U.S. rescue forces that others dream of.
Only the spirit of attack born in a brave heart will bring success to any weapon system no matter how highly developed it may be.
Gums sends...
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...

Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Peripatetic
I would like to ask, colonel as WSO on combat mission ( serious one- deep into enemy teritory) is " business as ussual"?
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...

Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
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From: Peripatetic
US/Israeli forces are bombing Mehrabad Airport in Iran’s capital, Tehran, again tonight, with pillars of smoke and flame rising from the airfield.




