US forces have successfully rescued and extracted the missing crew member of an American fighter jet that was shot down over Iran following “one of the most daring search-and-rescue operations” in the country’s history, President Trump announced early Sunday.
“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 posted on Truth Social just after midnight.
The Air Force officer — a weapons specialist who has not yet been publicly identified — was one of two aboard an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down on Friday. Both had ejected over southwestern Iran, triggering a massive high-risk rescue mission.
The weapons officer was injured during the ejection, but was still able to walk, a US official told Axios.
“He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine,” Trump said.
The crew member was recovered in a dangerous Saturday night operation following intense fighting near the crash site, as US forces carried out a complex operation deep inside Iranian territory.
No rescuers were injured during the massive, multi-domain operation involving hundreds of special operations troops, dozens of warplanes and helicopters and advanced intelligence capabilities spanning cyber and space, officials briefed on the operation told the New York Times.
“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 added in his post.
A senior military official told the outlet that the mission was one of the most challenging and complex in the history of US special operations.
The airman evaded capture for up to a day in mountainous terrain, using survival training to move away from the wreckage and hide on elevated ground while signaling for rescue. He had little more than a pistol as Iranian forces scoured the area and mobilized civilians to hunt him down, the Times reported.
“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,” Trump added.
The airman and the rescue team safely evacuated Iran and flew to Kuwait, where the injured airman could be treated, according to the Times.
The operation unfolded amid reported airstrikes and clashes in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, where local officials said multiple people were killed or wounded, as US special operations forces and Air Force pararescue teams engaged in a fierce firefight with Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Basij fighters searching for the downed crew member.
US attack aircraft bombed and strafed Iranian convoys closing in on the airman’s position, while commandos pushed toward the site —- triggering a firefight as American and Iranian forces collided.
In a dramatic final twist, two US transport planes sent to extract the team became stranded at a remote base inside Iran.
Commanders ordered them destroyed rather than risk sensitive equipment falling into enemy hands, flying in replacement aircraft to complete the escape, the Times reported.
Iranian forces had been searching for the pilot and at one point claimed he had been captured, though those assertions were never verified, with reports that local forces and even civilians had been mobilized to hunt for the airman.
Two US rescue helicopters were hit by enemy fire during the mission, injuring crew members, while an A-10 attack aircraft providing cover was also struck and later went down after the pilot safely ejected.
Both F-15E crew members are now safely recovered following the dramatic mission.
The downed F-15E weapons systems officer relied on survival training to evade capture after ejecting over Iran, moving away from the wreckage and climbing to an elevated ridge to hide while signaling for rescue, according to reports.
He activated an emergency locator beacon and later established contact with US forces via encrypted radio, a detail reported by The Aviationist.
During the evasion, Iranian authorities and local actors mobilized to find him, with merchant groups offering a roughly $60,000 reward and officials urging civilians to assist in the search.
The airman remained on the run for roughly 15 to 24 hours before being recovered, officials told Fox News.
“WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“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,” he added.
News of the airman’s rescue was quickly celebrated.
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) hailed the operation as an “Easter Miracle” in a post on X, amplifying Trump’s post on Truth Social.
