Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced that US forces successfully recovered a second airman from a downed F-15 in Iran, describing it as "one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History."
According to TRTworld.com, the airman was part of a two-person crew whose F-15 was reportedly brought down by Iranian air defenses. The rescue comes on the heels of another successful operation involving the first crew member, completed without public confirmation to avoid compromising the second mission.
Trump shared on Truth Social that the rescued airman, who was injured, is expected to recover. The operation unfolded as tensions escalated with Iran launching missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait, following Trump's ultimatum for Iran to negotiate within 48 hours or face severe consequences.
US special forces conducted multiple operations within Iran to locate the two crew members, who ejected from their aircraft and communicated their positions. The first pilot was extracted hours after the incident, while the second airman was found and rescued over a day later, with assistance from a specialized commando unit and aerial support.
During the operation, Iran's Revolutionary Guard targeted a US Black Hawk helicopter, injuring crew members but leaving the helicopter functional. US Air Force jets engaged Iranian forces to secure the crash site area. All US personnel involved in the mission have since left Iran, officials confirmed.