US forces have rescued a missing crew member from a fighter jet shot down over Iran, US President Donald Trump said in an early Sunday post on Truth Social.
“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 wrote, reports CNN.
He added that the rescued service member “sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.”
The high-risk operation began on Friday after an F-15E Strike Eagle was downed in the region. Another crew member was rescued shortly after the crash and is currently receiving medical care, according to earlier reports by CNN.
Trump said the US military deployed “dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons” to carry out the mission.
“He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation,” Trump said.
“This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!”
The US president described the dual rescue as evidence of “Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies,” though he did not explain how Iranian forces managed to shoot down the aircraft.
“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. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!” Trump said, just minutes after midnight on Easter Sunday.
