Web Desk: US President Donald Trump said Sunday that American forces successfully rescued a second crew member from a downed F-15E fighter jet in Iran, concluding a high-risk operation that involved heavy air support and special forces on the ground.
The announcement came after the officer, identified as a colonel, had been missing since Friday when the aircraft was shot down.
Trump, posting on Truth Social, said US forces had tracked the officer continuously while preparing the recovery effort. He described the mission as one of the most complex search-and-rescue operations in recent US military history.
According to US officials, the operation involved dozens of aircraft and hundreds of special operations personnel. As forces closed in on the stranded officer, they encountered Iranian troops, triggering a firefight. Despite the confrontation, officials said no American personnel were killed.
The rescued officer sustained injuries but was transported to Kuwait for medical treatment, officials added.
Meanwhile, initial rescue attempts on Friday also faced challenges. The pilot of the F-15E was recovered shortly after ejecting, but the second crew member remained unaccounted for.
During that effort, a US helicopter carrying the pilot came under small-arms fire, injuring crew members, though it landed safely. In addition, an A-10 attack aircraft supporting the mission was hit and damaged. Its pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was later recovered.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it shot down the aircraft in southwestern Iran. Images circulated by Iranian media appeared to show debris consistent with a US-made F-15 fighter jet, according to weapons experts.
US officials said the aircraft carried two crew members: a pilot and a weapons systems officer.
Officials said the final rescue mission relied on coordinated airstrikes and suppressive fire to keep Iranian forces away from the officer’s location. After securing the officer, US forces encountered further logistical challenges.
Two transport aircraft used in the operation became stranded at a remote site inside Iran. Additional aircraft were deployed to extract personnel, and the disabled planes were destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.
The downing of the F-15E marks the first time in more than two decades that a US fighter jet has been lost to enemy fire in combat, according to military experts.
Since the conflict with Iran began in late February, at least four US fighter jets have been lost, although three were attributed to a friendly-fire incident involving regional air defenses.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Trump warned Iran a day earlier to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face severe consequences.
The waterway, a critical route for global oil shipments, has seen disruptions since the conflict began, contributing to rising energy prices worldwide.
US officials said the administration had limited public comment during the operation to avoid compromising the rescue effort.
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