At approximately 1913 Washington time, Weinberger and Crowe received the first post-strike report from CINCEUR stating that all aircraft where "feet wet". Everyone in the command room was thrilled as it appeared that the raid had been carried out with no American losses.

The mood was quickly doused when a follow-up report reported that an aircraft may be missing. A third report confirmed one of the F-111's was missing.

The Navy immediately began combat search and rescue (CSAR) efforts to locate the missing F-111, KARMA 52.