Agadir – US president Donald Trump announced today the rescue of the second crew member of a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet after two-day search in southwest Iran following the aircraft’s downing.
“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, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!,” Trump posted on his social media platform Truth.
The rescue followed the jet’s crash on Friday, making the first aircraft downed over Iranian territory. The pilot was rescued the same day, while the second crew member remained missing, prompting a large-scale search operation involving both US and Iranian forces.
Trump emphasized that this is “the first time in military memory that two US pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in enemy territory.”
After the jet was shot down, Iran announced a reward of around $60,000 for anyone who could find and hand over the pilot.
Iranian state media also broadcast images of the downed aircraft and the ongoing search operation in the area.
According to Trump, the US military “sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the world, to retrieve him.” The rescued airman sustained injuries but is expected to recover fully.
President Trump described the missions as proof of US “overwhelming air dominance and superiority over the Iranian skies,” highlighting that no American lives were lost or seriously injured during either operation. “WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!” he said.
The incident occurred amid ongoing war in the Middle East between the US, Israel and Iran in late February.
