Meet the elite US teams tasked with combat rescues

Meet the elite US teams tasked with combat rescuesJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBernd Debusmann Jrat the White House Getty ImagesUS Air Force Pararescue units train extensively to recover downed aircrew behind enemy lines. Early reports indicate that the pilot of a US F-15 fighter aircraft downed over Iran was rescued - which, if confirmed, would be the latest in the long history of US combat search-and-rescue missions over decades. According to CBS, the BBC's US partner, the search operation is ongoing deep inside Iran for a second crew member. Combat search and rescue, or CSAR, missions are considered among the most complex, time-sensitive operations that US and allied militaries prepare for. In the US, elite units of the Air Force are specially trained for CSAR missions and are often pre-emptively deployed near conflict areas where aircraft could be lost. What is Combat Search and Rescue? Put simply, CSAR missions are military operations aimed at finding, aiding and potentially rescuing personnel in need, including downed pilots and isolated troops. In contrast to conventional search-and-rescue efforts - which could take place during humanitarian operations or after disasters - CSAR missions occur in hostile or contested environments.In some cases - as in Friday's reported recovery effort in Iran - the operations may happen deep in enemy territory. The missions are extremely time-sensitive, as enemy forces would likely be deployed in the same area to try and locate the same US personnel the CSAR teams are trying to rescue.In modern times, CSAR missions are often conducted by helicopters, with refueling aircraft in support and other military aircraft on hand to conduct strikes and patrol the area.Notably, verified video that emerged from Iran on Friday appeared to show US military helicopters and at least one refueling aircraft operating over Iran's Khuzestan province. Video appears to show a US plane and helicopters over southern IranT...