U.S. Special Operations forces successfully evacuated both crew members of an F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran on Friday. A weapons officer holding the rank of colonel hid in the mountains for over thirty hours to avoid capture. President Donald Trump described the mission as one of the boldest search-and-rescue operations in American history.
Donald Trump reported the rescue of the second pilot on TruthSocial. According to the American leader, the officer remained behind enemy lines while Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) militants pursued him. Despite injuries sustained during ejection, the serviceman reached a shelter in the mountainous terrain of southwestern Iran. Axios noted that the rescue mission involved heavy suppressive air fire to neutralize Iranian air defense systems and ground units.
Operation Details and Crew Status
The U.S. military command confirmed the operation concluded without any American casualties. Officials deployed dozens of aircraft and elite special forces units for the evacuation. Rescuers evacuated the first pilot earlier in a separate mission, but leadership kept this information classified for security reasons. The officers used specialized survival training and secure communication devices to coordinate their extraction.
Currently, both aviators are safe and receiving medical attention. The Iranian side claimed to have downed a U.S. drone during the search, but the Pentagon has not confirmed this report. This incident occurred during a heightened conflict where F-15E jets were intercepting Iranian drones and cruise missiles. Consequently, the successful recovery marks a significant tactical victory for the U.S. military.
Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that Donald Trump is considering personnel changes in his administration following criticism of his Iran war policy.
