The American F-15E crew member rescued in Iran Sunday carried a “very sophisticated” beeper-like device that helped save his life, President Trump revealed Monday.
The Air Force weapons systems officer evaded capture on the ground for almost 48 hours — while injured — before he was safely extracted from Iranian territory in a daring rescue mission, thanks in part to the device that allowed the US military to track his whereabouts.
“He scaled cliff faces, bleeding rather profusely, treated his own wounds and contacted American forces to transmit his location,” Trump said during a White House press conference.
“They have a very sophisticated beeper-type apparatus that is on them at all times,” the president explained.
“When they go out on these missions, they make sure they have lots of battery space and they’re in good shape,” Trump continued.
The downed airman’s beeper “worked really well … amazingly” and “saved his life,” according to Trump.
Trump appeared to be referring to the rescue beacons carried by all US airmen in their vests.
“US Air Force fighter pilots use Combat Survivor Evader Locators (CSEL) to give off homing signals,” an Air Force official told The Post.
CSEL beacons, manufactured by Boeing, were also credited with helping the US military track down and rescue an Air Force pilot and weapons systems officer that crashed in Libya in 2011.
The beacons transmit encrypted distress signals that can be detected by aircraft and satellites, according to the Jerusalem Post, and turn on automatically when the pilot ejects from the plane.
The devices, which resemble a walkie talkie, can continuously send encrypted coordinates to rescuers via military satellites and can function as a radio when rescuers come within range.
The US military deployed 155 aircraft including four bombers, 64 fighter jets, 48 refueling tankers and 13 rescue aircraft as part of the mission to rescue the F-15E crew member.
Meanwhile, the CIA engaged in a “deception campaign” to throw off Iranian forces and buy the airman and his rescuers time, Director John Ratcliffe explained at the White House.
Iran used sniffer dogs to try to track down the downed airman, according to US military sources, but they were no match for the courageous airman and the service members deployed to get him.
“Our intelligence reflects that the Iranians were embarrassed and ultimately humiliated by the success of this audacious rescue mission,” Ratcliffe claimed.
