The US President Donald Trump has confirmed the rescue of the downed US pilot stranded in Iran. In a statement dated April 5, Trump said the operation took place over several hours and described it as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history.”
He stated that the officer had been isolated in mountainous terrain while being pursued by enemy forces before being successfully extracted.
“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 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! ” read part of the statement.
Additionally, Trump highlighted that dozens of aircraft were deployed for the mission and that the injured officer was safely retrieved, although he sustained injuries, and he will be just fine.
Trump Confirms the Rescue of Downed US Pilot
Trump praised the coordination between military leadership and rescue teams who monitored the officer’s location and planned the operation.
He also revealed that another U.S. pilot had been rescued on a separate mission a day earlier, and described the back-to-back rescues as unprecedented.
“This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation.”
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Trump argued that these operations marked the first time two U.S. pilots had been recovered separately from deep inside enemy territory.
He further noted that no American personnel were killed or wounded during the operations. He further claimed the missions demonstrated U.S. air superiority, calling the outcome a moment for national unity and commending the professionalism of American forces.
Soldier goes missing
This follows a tense 48 hours in southwestern Iran, where traffic jams formed as civilians reportedly rushed to help security forces capture the downed American pilot.
Iranian military officials had urged residents to stay away from the area and offered rewards for information leading to the pilot’s capture.
Crowds of curious Iranians allegedly rushed to a village near Koohdasht to see the downed American F-15 pilot barricaded in a house. The U.S. Air Force reportedly hit them with airstrikes, leaving dozens wounded, with families rushing to the hospital.
Earlier, two U.S. military helicopters involved in search‑and‑rescue operations were struck by Iranian fire but managed to leave Iranian airspace and land safely, according to U.S. officials cited by NBC News.
All service members aboard were unharmed. The helicopters were part of a mission to recover crew members from the F‑15E shot down on Friday.
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Reports from Iranian and U.S. outlets suggested an anti‑aircraft missile targeted at least one Black Hawk helicopter during the operation.
Social media footage showed low‑flying American aircraft, including Black Hawks and a C‑130 Hercules, conducting search patterns in southwestern Iran.
Rewards offered
Iranian state media has urged civilians to capture “enemy pilots,” raising fears that the missing crew member could fall into Iranian hands. Rewards offered by local officials and businesspeople added to the pressure on U.S. forces to complete the rescue quickly.
The recovery came amid broader escalation. Iranian outlets claimed responsibility for shooting down a U.S. A‑10 Warthog near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, though the claim has not been independently verified.
