A US airman who was missing after his aircraft was shot down over Iran on Friday has been rescued, President Donald Trump announced early on Sunday. He said the airman was injured but “will be just fine.”
“WE GOT HIM!” President Trump posted on Truth Social.
“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 Office Members, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is SAFE and SOUND!”
The search and rescue mission was launched after an American fighter jet was shot down on Friday.
Photos of debris said to be from an F-15 fighter jet and video footage said to show search and rescue operations with Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft circulated online.
President Trump, celebrating the recovery of the airman, added on Truth Social: “At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.”
The US Air Force has lost several aircraft during Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28. This, however, marks the first loss over Iran.
At the start of the Iran war, three US F-15s were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in what CENTCOM described as “an apparent friendly fire incident.” All six crew members survived.
Then on March 12, a US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members. A second American aircraft involved in the incident landed safely.
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