A U.S. crew member who went missing when an F-15E fighter jet was shot down over a remote area of Iran was rescued by American forces early Sunday morning local time, according to President Trump and multiple U.S. officials. The successful rescue operation concluded a harrowing search that began after the jet's pilot was rescued Friday.
"WE GOT HIM!" President Trump wrote Sunday in a Truth Social post. "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 confirmed that the rescued officer sustained injuries but "will be just fine." Trump added that the rescue operation was conducted at his direction, with "the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him."
Fighter Jet Downed in Southwest Iran
U.S. officials had previously told CBS News the jet was carrying a two-person crew when it was downed by Iranian forces Friday. Iranian Revolutionary Guards took credit for the strike, alleging the jet was brought down in southwestern Iran Friday morning.
Photos of debris that Iranian media claimed showed the wreckage of the downed U.S. fighter jet appeared consistent with an American F-15, according to two weapons experts who spoke to CBS News.
The pilot of the F-15E had safely ejected and was rescued by two military helicopters Friday, U.S. officials said, but the second crew member, identified as a weapons system officer, had remained missing until Sunday's successful rescue operation.
Complex Multi-Aircraft Rescue Operation
A U.S. official and a White House official confirmed to CBS News that American commandos recovered the missing crew member in a complex operation that involved hundreds of special forces personnel and several dozen warplanes and helicopters. According to The New York Times, which first reported details of the operation, a firefight broke out with Iranian troops as U.S. forces were closing in on the stranded officer.
The harrowing military operation utilized bombs and weapons fire to keep Iranian troops away from where the missing officer was believed to be hiding, the two officials said. While stranded, the crew member had only a handgun to defend himself.
There were no casualties among U.S. personnel in the rescue operation, and the rescued officer was flown to Kuwait to receive treatment for his injuries, according to the two officials.
Equipment Lost During Extraction
After the airman was rescued, two U.S. transport planes that were being used to ferry rescue personnel out became trapped at a remote Iranian base, the officials disclosed. Three new aircraft were then flown in to extract U.S. rescue troops and the officer, and the two transport planes were destroyed so they would not fall into Iran's possession.
During Friday's initial recovery efforts, complications arose when a U.S. helicopter carrying the rescued pilot was struck by small arms fire, wounding crew members on board. The helicopter managed to land safely despite the damage.
Additionally, 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 confirmed.
Historic Combat Loss
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, according to retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 fighter pilot, who spoke to The Associated Press.
At least four U.S. fighter jets have been shot down since the Iran war began on February 28, but three of those were in a friendly-fire incident, the Pentagon said. On March 1, three American F-15s were "mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses," U.S. Central Command said at the time, with no casualties from that incident.
Specialized Rescue Operations Expertise
CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean had provided insight on Friday about how the search and rescue operation for the missing F-15E crew member might play out, explaining that the U.S. military uses highly trained forces known as Air Force Pararescuemen who are "dedicated" to such missions.
MacLean noted that the missing crew member would have had first-aid gear and "training in how to administer self-care in case they're injured," and would be equipped with communications gear to "let their chain of command know that they are OK, and ideally participate in their own rescue."
The analyst explained that downed crew members would have a GPS tracker, a beacon, and an encrypted radio that would allow them to avoid enemy personnel while signaling potential rescuers.
Presidential Response and Strategic Silence
Until Sunday's announcement, President Trump had been mostly silent on the subject of the search. In a phone interview with The Independent on Friday, he said he couldn't comment on what he might do if the crew member were captured by Iran.
"Well, I can't comment on it because — we hope that's not going to happen," Trump said at the time.
In his social media post Sunday, the president explained that the White House's silence was strategic, designed to protect the missing officer. He said the U.S. military "did not confirm" Friday's rescue of the F-15E's pilot "because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation."
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate
President Trump on Saturday also issued another warning to Iran regarding its control over the Strait of Hormuz, telling the Iranian regime it had 48 hours to reopen the crucial waterway or "all Hell will reign down on them."
Since the war began, the virtual closure of the strait — which sees about 20% of all global oil traffic — has caused fuel prices to skyrocket worldwide. The strategic waterway remains a critical flashpoint in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.
The successful rescue operation represents a significant achievement for U.S. military capabilities in hostile territory, demonstrating the extensive resources and coordination required to extract personnel from enemy-controlled areas.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of CBS News