U.S. forces have successfully located, retrieved a missing F-15 crew member approximately two days after a two-person crew was downed by Iranian forces, with President Donald Trump calling it "one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History."
Trump, in multiple Truth Social posts that started around midnight Sunday, announced the successful recovery mission that he said was at his direction. The pilot, whose identity remains unknown, was rescued after the U.S. military contributed "dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him."
The president said the rescued pilot "sustained injuries, but he will be just fine."
"WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue."
The Pentagon declined to comment to Military.com, instead deferring to a White House X post that quoted the president's sentiments. U.S. Central Command has not publicly commented on the downed F-15 or posted about the rescue.
Overnight on Friday, April 3, an F-15E Strike Eagle belonging to the U.S. Air Force was taken down by Iranian forces, with photos showing the jet’s alleged wreckage circulating on social media. The first crew member was rescued later that day with help from two U.S. military helicopters, according to reports.
The helicopter that picked up, rescued the first pilot was reportedly hit by small arms fire, some wounding crew members on board. The helicopter landed safely and all service members in that situation were reported to be receiving medical treatment and transported for further medical care.
Trump called the events of the past two-plus days "the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory," adding, "WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!"
"The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies," Trump wrote. "This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World."
The news comes two days after the Pentagon announced an addition of Operation Epic Fury to its casualty database, as of April 3 showing 365 U.S. troops wounded in action and 13 killed.
This story will be updated with any new information.
