Washington: In an operation described as unprecedented in its scale and audacity, an American military officer was rescued from deep behind enemy lines in Iran, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday.
The dramatic extraction, involving dozens of aircraft is being hailed as one of the most daring search-and-rescue missions in US military history.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared:
“WE GOT HIM! … After an extraordinary effort, the United States Military has successfully recovered our officer… he is SAFE and SOUND!”
The officer a colonel, had been trapped in the perilous mountains of Iran, pursued relentlessly by enemy forces, before being safely recovered. Trump confirmed that the officer sustained minor injuries during the mission but is now in stable condition.
The colonel was part of a two-member F-15 fighter crew whose aircraft was shot down by Iranian air defenses. While the first crew member was previously rescued, the second pilot’s location triggered an intense, high-risk operation across hostile terrain.
Iranian authorities had reportedly called on civilians to assist in locating the officer raising the stakes of the mission even higher.
Officials said the operation involved coordinated air and ground maneuvers under heavy enemy fire. Two Black Hawk helicopters were struck but successfully returned, and an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft crashed over Kuwait after being hit, with the pilot ejecting safely.
Highlighting the mission’s success, Trump emphasized:
“Rescuing both pilots without a single American casualty demonstrates our absolute air dominance and operational superiority over Iranian territory.”
Experts describe the mission as a game-changing demonstration of US military capability, noting that even a minor miscalculation could have turned it into a catastrophic loss. The daring rescue also comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Tehran, underscoring the volatility of the ongoing conflict.
FROM PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
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…
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 5, 2026
