US President Donald Trump said that the Airman rescued by US forces early on Sunday was “seriously wounded” and identified him as a “highly respected Colonel.” In a post on social media, Trump said that the mission took place in mountainous terrain while Iranian military forces were also actively searching for him in large numbers.
Trump praised the personnel involved, calling them “great military warriors,” and emphasised the level of coordination and courage required to carry out the mission successfully.
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“We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran. The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close. He is a highly
respected Colonel. This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to “man and equipment.” It just doesn’t happen! The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran,” Trump’s social media post reads.
“An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all! I will be having a News Conference, with the Military, at the Oval Office, on Monday, at 1:00 P.M. God Bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS!”
The officer’s F-15 fighter jet was shot down on Friday over western Iran.
In an earlier post, Trump confirmed the rescue of the officer and said the government will “not leave a warfighter behind.” He added that the US Military sent dozens of aircraft with the “most lethal weapons” for the second rescue mission, after local Iranian groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters.
In a post on Truth Social, 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 US 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! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.”
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