US B-1 bombers dropped approximately 100 bombs, each weighing more than 900 kg, during the mission to rescue the second crew member of a downed F-15E in Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing its sources.
The bombs were dropped on roads, people and garrisons of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to ensure the success of the mission, according to one of the officials interviewed by the newspaper.
The article states that the US focused on destroying roads near the rescue point to prevent the Iranians from approaching American troops and aircraft. Some craters in the roads can be seen from space, according to satellite images from Landsat 9.
The F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down on April 3. Both crew members were able to eject. One was quickly found, while the other, injured, was being sought in Iran.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the pilot hid in the mountains behind the front lines and remained there for more than 36 hours. During that time, he managed to climb a ridge more than 2,000 meters high, armed only with a pistol, a communication device and a tracking beacon.
He was found by US forces involved in a large-scale operation involving hundreds of military, intelligence, special operations forces and CIA agents, who reportedly misled Iranian teams in the search.