U.S. rescues second F-15E airman from Iran after jet shot down, officials say

(TNND) — U.S. forces safely rescued the second F-15E airman of a fighter jet that went down on Friday, according to U.S. officials who reported the news Saturday night.

President Donald Trump confirmed the rescue mission in a Truth Social post Sunday morning saying that this type of operation is “seldom attempted.”

“It just doesn’t happen! The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran. An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all,” Trump wrote.

According to the U.S. officials, airman was pulled from Iran safely and the rescue crew remained out of danger.

Trump also revealed that the airman “sustained injuries” but will be “just fine,” adding that he is a “highly respected Colonel.”

The pilot of the two-person fighter jet was located shortly after the crash.

A senior Trump administration official said that the second crew member’s rescue was conducted with the help of CIA subterfuge, NBC News reports.

The intelligence agency enacted a deception campaign inside Iran, saying that the second airman had already been found alive by U.S. forces, who were now moving him on the ground out of the country, the official told the news outlet.

“While the Iranians were confused and uncertain of what was happening, the Agency used its unique, exquisite capabilities to search for — and find — the American,” the official statement to NBC News said. “This was the ultimate ‘needle in a haystack,’ but in this case it was a brave American soul inside a mountain crevice, invisible but for CIA’s capabilities.”

Once the CIA alerted the defense department and the White House of the crew member’s whereabouts, Trump ordered the rescue mission.

The F-15E crash and rescue mission comes as the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran enters its sixth week.

While the Trump administration continues to receive backlash over the war, the president praised the rescue mission, crediting U.S. military leaders for their diligence.

Trump also revealed that he ordered “dozens” of aircraft with lethal weapons to assist in the search.

“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,” Trump said.

“The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies,” he added.

According to Iran’s armed forces and Revolutionary Guard to its state media outlet, multiple U.S. aircraft were destroyed in the rescue operation. A spokesperson said Sunday that two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters and one C-130 transport aircraft had been destroyed.

U.S. rescue crews and other forces had been searching for the second airman since Friday.

Iran had shot down the F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday, and the first crew member was rescued that same day. While U.S. military members were scrambling to find the second officer, an Iranian news organization reported that a regional governor had ordered a bounty.

This seems to be the first time that a U.S. aircraft has gone down in Iran during the ongoing conflict.

Trump said he will be holding a news conference with the military from the Oval Office on Monday, 1:00 PM ET.