The US president has said the military “pulled off one of the most daring operations” in history
Both crew members of the US F-15E jet that was shot down over Iran on Friday have been rescued, President Donald Trump has announced.
The plane was shot down during a combat mission in Kohgiluyeh province in southwestern Iran by Boyer-Ahmad; until then officials had remained tight-lipped about rescue efforts. According to US media, one employee was found shortly after the incident, while the search for the weapons systems officer continued throughout Sunday.
“WE FOUND HIM! My fellow Americans, in the past few hours, the US Military pulled off one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history for one of our amazing staff officers, who is also a highly respected colonel, and who I am happy to inform you is now SAFE AND SOUND!” Trump wrote on Social Facts, confirming reports that a second crew member had finally been found.
Trump said the employee was hiding “in the treacherous mountains of Iran” time “hunted by our enemies.”
“On my instructions, the US military sent dozens of planes, armed with the world’s deadliest weapons, to pick him up. He was injured, but he will be fine,” he added.
“This is the first time in military history that two American pilots have been rescued separately in enemy territory.”
Earlier on Sunday, Iranian media reported heavy fighting between US commandos and Iran’s Basij militia in the area where the worker was believed to be hiding. Iranian officials announced a reward for his capture, with citizens reportedly rushing to help find him.
In a separate incident on Friday, a US A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter jet was hit by Iranian fire. The pilot was ejected after the plane left Iranian airspace, and was also rescued.
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