US forces rescued the American pilot who was in Iranian territory, according to Donald Trump administration officials. The crew member was rescued after 36 hours. President Trump confirmed the successful operation in a post on his social network Truth Social early this Sunday morning (5).
The republican initially said that the rescued man was “safe and sound”, but then stated that he was seriously injured. According to Trump, it is “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history.”
The aviator, who has not yet been identified, was one of two crew members flying an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter when it was shot down by Iranian forces on Friday (3). A US military team rescued the other crew member the same day.
“WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, in the last few hours the U.S. Military has carried out one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history for one of our incredible crew officers, who is also a highly respected colonel — and I am pleased to report that he is now SAFE! (…) WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN FIGHTER BEHIND! (…) GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!” Trump said in the post.
Pilot seriously injured, says Trump
In a new publication in Truth Social, the American president said that the pilot was seriously injured. According to the newspaper The New York Timesthe pilot was flown to Kuwait to receive medical treatment.
“We rescued a seriously injured and extremely courageous F-15 crew member/officer from deep in the mountains of Iran. The Iranian Armed Forces were searching intensely, in large numbers, and closing in. He is a highly respected colonel. This type of operation is rarely attempted because of the risk to ‘men and equipment’. It simply doesn’t happen! The second operation came after the first, in which we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, remaining for seven hours over the Iran. An AMAZING demonstration of courage and skill by everyone! God bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS!” said Trump.
Iran says it thwarted US operation
Iran claims that it “thwarted the United States’ attempt to rescue the pilot” of the downed fighter in an operation in which, according to Tehran, four American aircraft were hit.
“In additional assessments carried out by experts on site, it was determined that two US Army C-130 military transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed,” said Central Headquarters Khatam al-Anbiya spokesman, Colonel Ebrahim Zolfagari. According to the Iranian, the American operation to rescue his pilot ended in a “total failure”, as reported by the news agency Tasnim.
The spokesperson indicated that the operation was repelled through joint action by the Revolutionary Guard, the Army, the Basij militia and the security forces, which managed to prevent the rescue after enemy aircraft entered the center of the country.
