US special forces rescued the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet shot down by Iran on Sunday, with President Donald Trump hailing what he described as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history”.
“WE GOT HIM! (sic),” Trump announced on his Truth Social platform, praising the US military for conducting “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history (sic).”
Declaring the rescued crewman a “highly respected colonel,” Trump said he was “excited to let you know that (he) is now SAFE and WELL!”
The American airman rescued on Sunday was the second member of the two-man F-15 crew that Iran claimed to have shot down on Friday.
Reuters reported earlier on Friday that the first crew member had been rescued, while both Iran and the US launched an intensive search for the remaining crew member.
Details of rescue efforts
According to Trump, the crew member was “being chased” with Iranian forces “getting closer and closer by the hour.”
Trump said he and top officials are constantly monitoring the location of the U.S. service member.
“At my direction, the US military sent dozens of planes armed with the deadliest weapons in the world to retrieve him. He was injured but he’s going to be fine (sic),” Trump said.
“This miraculous search and rescue operation comes in addition to the successful rescue of another brave pilot, yesterday, which we have not confirmed because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation (sic),” Trump added, indirectly commenting on his silence on the downing of the plane in Iran.
“This is the first time in military memory that two American pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE THE AMERICAN WAR BEHIND! (sic),” the US president declared.
Trump also clarified that there were no American casualties during the rescue operation, saying: “The fact that we were able to carry out both of these operations without a SINGLE American being killed or even injured just proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming air dominance and supremacy over the Iranian skies (sic).
The first losses of American combat aircraft in more than two decades
Iran’s downing of an F-15 fighter jet as well as an A-10 Warthog ground attack aircraft marked the first losses of American combat aircraft in more than 20 years.
The last confirmed downing of a US fighter jet during an active mission was in 2003, when an A-10 was shot down during the Iraq War.
(This is a developing story. Check back for updates)
