The United States relied on dozens of aircraft, hundreds of personnel, secret CIA technology and a dose of subterfuge to rescue a two-man F-15E fighter jet crew downed deep inside Iran. President Donald Trump and his top defense aides detailed the daring rescue operation during a news conference at the White House on Monday. The U.S. surged helicopters, midair refuelers and fighter jets deep into Iran to rescue the pilot within hours. But finding and picking up the jet's weapon systems officer was a more complicated endeavor.