An F-15E Strike Eagle has been shot down. While one crew member was quickly recovered, the Weapons Systems Officer (a colonel and vice wing commander) was missing for hours.

A major Special Operations rescue mission involving C-130s and AH-6 Little Bird helicopters was launched and the situation became chaotic.

What’s strange?

F-15E aircrews are usually junior or mid-grade officers. Lieutenants. Captains.

At most, a major.

So why was there a colonel in the back seat of the fighter jet that was shot down in Iran?

The rescue site was suspiciously close to Isfahan, home to Iran’s heavily guarded enriched uranium stockpile.

Deep in enemy territory, near the nation’s most valuable target, a high-ranking official with sensitive information…