Which operation did the 75th Ranger Regiment participate in that was focused on the rescue of a downed pilot?

The 75th Ranger Regiment participated in Operation Gothic Serpent, which was primarily focused on the mission to rescue a downed pilot, among other objectives. This operation took place in Somalia in 1993, where the Rangers were tasked with capturing a warlord and aiding in the humanitarian crisis. The operation involved intense combat and the famous Battle of Mogadishu, during which a U.S. helicopter was shot down, leading to the need for a rescue mission. This specific context highlights the pivotal role that the regiment played in rapidly responding to recover personnel in hostile conditions, which is a key focus of their capabilities and training.

The other operations listed did not center around a pilot rescue mission in the same manner. Operation Just Cause focused on the removal of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega; Operation Desert Storm was centered around the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation; and Operation Enduring Freedom mainly addressed the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and beyond. Thus, while these operations had various significant missions, none specifically highlighted a pilot rescue as the primary objective in the way that Operation Gothic Serpent did.