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[US Military Transport Plane Stuck in Sand, Rescue Operation Nearly Fails] US media on the 5th revealed more details about the US military's rescue operation for the pilot of the fighter jet shot down by Iran. The report stated that US special forces had previously constructed a runway in Iran, but the plane used to transport the rescued pilot and US soldiers to escape Iran became stuck in the sand, nearly causing the rescue operation to fail. The New York Times, citing multiple US military sources, reported that after the US F-15E Strike Eagle two-seat fighter jet was shot down over Iran, both pilots ejected. Approximately six hours later, the US military rescued one pilot under "heavy fire." The other pilot was injured and hid in the mountains. More than ten hours later, the US military located him using his tracking equipment and immediately prepared for a rescue. Approximately 100 US special forces soldiers participated in the rescue of the second pilot, primarily from Navy SEAL Team Six, with Army Delta Force and Rangers as backup, and support from helicopters, reconnaissance aircraft, fighter jets, and refueling aircraft. After confirming the pilot's location and determining it wasn't an Iranian trap, the US military began its operation. When the helicopters arrived at the pilot's hiding place, US and Israeli warplanes bombed the surrounding area. The US helicopters, carrying the rescued pilot and special forces soldiers, flew to an airstrip inside Iranian territory. This makeshift sand runway had been built earlier by US special forces for potential rescue missions or other emergencies. Two C-130 military transport planes were on standby on the runway, ready to transport the rescued pilot and other US troops to Kuwait. However, US military sources said that at least one, and possibly two, aircraft's landing gear became stuck in the sand, rendering them unable to take off. US soldiers spent several hours trying to free the transport planes but were unsuccessful. They had to request three more aircraft to pick them up, eventually escaping Iran. Subsequently, US warplanes destroyed two transport planes and four MH-6 light helicopters to prevent them from being captured by Iran. (Xinhua)