US Rescues Second Crew Member from Downed F-15E in Iran in High-Risk Operation: Trump

Washington, April 2026 : Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that the United States military has successfully rescued the second crew member of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle in Iran, describing the mission as one of the most daring search and rescue operations in American military history.

The development comes after nearly two days of uncertainty following the aircraft’s downing over Iranian territory. The jet, which carried two personnel—a pilot and a weapons systems officer—had crashed in hostile terrain, triggering an intense and high-stakes recovery effort. While one crew member had been rescued earlier, the second remained missing, prompting a large-scale military operation.

According to reports, the missing officer was located after extensive search efforts amid difficult and dangerous conditions. The rescue reportedly involved fierce engagement in rugged terrain, underscoring the complexity of the mission.

Announcing the development on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared, “We got him!” He praised the military for executing what he called a remarkable operation to bring back a highly respected officer, identified as a Colonel, who had been stranded behind enemy lines.

Trump elaborated that the officer had been isolated in mountainous terrain in Iran, with hostile forces closing in. Despite the danger, he said, the US military maintained constant surveillance of his location and meticulously planned the rescue. Senior leadership, including top defense officials and commanders, were closely monitoring the situation throughout the operation.

At the President’s direction, a significant number of military assets were deployed, including dozens of aircraft equipped with advanced weaponry. The rescued officer reportedly sustained injuries but is expected to recover fully. Trump also revealed that the earlier rescue of the first crew member had been deliberately kept undisclosed to avoid jeopardizing the second mission.

Highlighting the significance of the operation, Trump claimed it marked a rare instance in which two US airmen were rescued separately from deep within hostile territory. He emphasized that the mission was carried out without any American casualties, calling it evidence of US air superiority in the region.

He further described the rescue as a moment of national pride, urging Americans across political lines to unite in appreciation of the armed forces. Trump lauded the military as highly professional and capable, crediting them for successfully executing complex operations under extreme conditions.

According to Iranian media, the aircraft had been targeted over central Iran and is believed to have crashed in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. Iranian authorities had reportedly launched their own search efforts and even announced a monetary reward for information leading to the capture of the missing crew member.

The successful rescue underscores the intensity of the ongoing conflict dynamics in the region and highlights the risks faced by military personnel operating in contested airspace.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)