WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that US special operations forces successfully rescued an airman whose F-15 fighter jet had been downed over Iran, marking a dramatic moment in the sixth week of the US-Israel-led conflict.
The rescued officer, identified by Trump as a colonel and the weapons-systems officer aboard the jet, was injured but is expected to recover, the president said.
“Over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History,” Trump stated, adding that the airman was rescued “in the treacherous mountains of Iran.”
This operation came after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed to have shot down the F-15 on Friday, prompting an intense search for the remaining crew member. Iranian authorities had called on civilians to assist, potentially seeking leverage against Washington.
Mission Details
The rescue involved dozens of US aircraft and encountered resistance from Iranian forces. Two Black Hawk helicopters used in the operation were hit by Iranian fire but escaped safely. During the extraction, at least one US aircraft was destroyed after malfunctioning.
Trump emphasized the significance of the operation, noting it was the first time in military memory that two US pilots had been rescued separately deep in enemy territory, with no American casualties.
US air crews follow Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) protocols, though operating behind enemy lines remains perilous, particularly when navigating language and terrain challenges.
Wider Conflict Context
The ongoing conflict has resulted in 13 US military fatalities and over 300 injuries. While Trump has claimed US air superiority, Iran retains significant missile and drone capabilities, with intelligence indicating only partial destruction of its arsenal.
The war, which began on February 28, has killed thousands in the Middle East and disrupted global energy markets, exacerbating inflationary pressures worldwide.
