WASHINGTON: US President Donald J. Trump has announced the successful rescue of a US weapons officer who went missing after an F-15E fighter jet was reportedly shot down over Iran.
In a statement, Trump said the United States military conducted what he described as one of the most daring search-and-rescue operations in its history to recover the missing serviceman.
“WE GOT HIM!” he declared, confirming that the recovered crew member is a highly respected colonel. He added that the officer is now “safe and sound” following the operation.
The incident is linked to the downing of an F-15E Strike Eagle, after which the weapons officer went missing, prompting an intensive military recovery effort.
Trump praised the armed forces involved in the mission, highlighting the scale and coordination of the operation carried out to bring the officer home safely. He said the officer had been under continuous surveillance by the US military as planning for the extraction mission unfolded.
Trump stated that dozens of aircraft were deployed for the operation, which he described as highly coordinated and executed at his direction. He also said the officer sustained injuries during the mission but is now stable and expected to recover.
He further suggested that a second rescue operation involving another US pilot had been conducted earlier, though it was not publicly disclosed at the time in order to protect operational security. The President praised the armed forces, saying no American service member was left behind.
