Former US President Donald Trump has publicly commended what he described as one of the most audacious search and rescue operations in American military history, following the successful recovery of a crew member from a downed US warplane in Iran.
Daring Mission Behind Enemy Lines
The dramatic operation unfolded after Iranian forces shot down an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet on Friday. While one service member was initially rescued, a second crew member remained missing in what US officials characterized as a desperate search effort.
It has now been confirmed that the missing crew member - identified as a highly respected colonel - has been successfully recovered, though he remains in Iran awaiting extraction. The special rescue mission continues as of Sunday morning UK time, with the team still needing to safely exfiltrate from hostile territory.
'Safe and Sound' Despite Injuries
Trump revealed that the colonel sustained injuries during what he described as a fierce shootout with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces, but emphasized the officer is now "safe and sound" and expected to make a full recovery.
In an extensive post on his Truth Social platform, 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."
The former president detailed how this "brave Warrior" had been behind enemy lines in Iran's treacherous mountains, actively hunted by adversaries who were "getting closer and closer by the hour."
Unprecedented Dual Rescue Operation
Trump disclosed that this rescue represents part of an unprecedented dual operation, explaining: "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."
According to the former commander-in-chief, this marks the first time in military memory that two US pilots have been separately rescued from deep within enemy territory.
He emphasized the significance of achieving both extractions "without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded," declaring this demonstrates "overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies."
Historical Context and Military Significance
Retired Air Force Brigadier General Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 fighter pilot, provided historical context, noting that the last time a US warplane was shot down by enemy fire in combat occurred during the 2003 invasion of Iraq when an A-10 Thunderbolt II was lost.
Trump detailed the extensive resources deployed for the rescue, stating: "At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him."
The former president portrayed the operation as a testament to American military excellence, asserting: "We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World."
Call for National Unity
In his characteristically emphatic style, Trump framed the successful mission as a unifying moment for the nation, proclaiming: "This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around."
He concluded his statement with patriotic fervor: "GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!"
The rescue operation follows earlier statements from Trump on Truth Social claiming US forces had "terminated" several Iranian military leaders, accompanied by footage appearing to show an airstrike eliminating top IRGC commanders.
As the situation continues to develop, the focus remains on safely extracting the rescued colonel from Iranian territory and returning him to US control, marking what Trump has characterized as a historic achievement in military search and rescue operations.
