Missing crew member from downed U.S. fighter jet rescued in Iran, President Trump says
FILE – President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
WASHINGTON, DC (CBS) – A U.S. crew member who went missing when an F-15E fighter jet was shot down over a remote area of Iran has been rescued by U.S. forces.
President Trump announced the rescue in a post on Truth Social.
“WE GOT HIM!” Trump wrote. “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!”
The president wrote that the service member had “sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.”
Of the rescue operation, the president said that “at my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him.”
U.S. officials had previously told CBS News the jet was carrying a two-person crew when it was downed by Iranian forces Friday. The pilot safely ejected and was rescued by two military helicopters, U.S. officials said.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards took credit for the strike, alleging the jet was brought down in southwestern Iran. Photos of debris that Iranian media said showed the wreckage of the downed U.S. fighter jet appeared consistent with an American F-15, two weapons experts told CBS News.
During Friday’s recovery efforts, a U.S. helicopter carrying the rescued pilot was struck by small arms fire, wounding crew members on board, U.S. officials said, but the helicopter landed safely.
An A-10 Warthog that was part of Friday’s search mission took fire and was damaged. The Warthog’s pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was successfully recovered, U.S. officials said.
The downing of the F-15E fighter jet marks the first time a U.S. fighter jet has been shot down in combat in over 20 years, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 fighter pilot, told The Associated Press.
— Information from CBS News
