US President Donald J. Trump declared on early Sunday that U.S. forces have completed a high-risk combat search-and-rescue operation to extract a missing American pilot from deep inside Iranian territory, describing it as one of the most daring missions in U.S. military history.
Two American military aircraft, an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet and an A-10 attack aircraft, were shot down by Iran in separate incidents on Friday, 3rd April. Two pilots of the F-15E ejected and landed inside Iran. While one pilot was rescued on the same, the other remained missing. The A-10 pilot was also rescued earlier.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: "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!"
The president detailed that the officer, the second crew member of a two-seat F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet shot down over Iran on Friday, had been evading capture in the "treacherous mountains of Iran" while being hunted by enemy forces. U.S. commanders, including Trump as Commander in Chief, monitored his location continuously. At Trump's direction, dozens of aircraft were deployed for the extraction. The rescued airman sustained injuries but is expected to recover fully.
Trump noted that the first crew member from the same jet had been rescued the previous day, with details withheld at the time to protect the ongoing second operation. "This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory," he wrote. The president added, "WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!"
The announcement comes amid an escalating U.S.-Iran conflict. Iranian forces downed the F-15E on April 3, prompting an immediate search-and-rescue effort. One crew member was recovered quickly, but the second remained missing behind enemy lines for roughly 48 hours as both U.S. and Iranian teams raced to locate him.
Trump used the moment to highlight what he called "overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies," stating that both rescues were executed "without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded." He called for national unity: "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 post concluded with "GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!"
U.S. officials have not released further operational details, names of the rescued personnel, or casualty figures from the Iranian side. The rescues mark a significant morale boost for U.S. forces operating in the region amid the strikes on Iranian infrastructure and ongoing diplomatic tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.