A US fighter jet pilot who went missing for two days after Iran shot down his aircraft has been successfully rescued in what President Donald Trump described as one of the most daring operations in American military history. The dramatic recovery operation has drawn global attention amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Providing LIVE UPDATES, Trump confirmed that the rescued pilot sustained injuries but is expected to recover fully. In a post on Truth Social, he announced, “WE GOT HIM!” and praised the US military for executing a high-risk search and rescue mission deep inside hostile territory.
According to Trump, the operation involved dozens of US aircraft equipped with advanced weaponry, deployed under his direct orders. The pilot, identified as a senior officer and respected Colonel, had been stranded behind enemy lines in Iran’s rugged mountainous terrain, reportedly under constant threat from pursuing forces.
“This brave warrior was never alone,” Trump said, adding that top US leadership—including military commanders and war planners—monitored the situation around the clock and meticulously coordinated the rescue.
The incident began when Iran shot down a US F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday. The aircraft carried two crew members—a pilot and a weapons systems officer. While one was recovered shortly after the crash, the other remained missing, triggering an urgent and complex rescue effort.
Reports suggest the jet was targeted over central Iran, possibly crashing in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. According to Al Jazeera, hundreds of US special operations forces participated in the mission, ultimately securing the pilot and evacuating him safely out of Iranian territory. The successful rescue underscores the operational reach and coordination capabilities of the US military in high-stakes combat scenarios.
