A US pilot missing since Iran shot down a fighter jet has been rescued, Donald Trump confirmed this morning.
The president hailed “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History” after the service member was saved from “deep in enemy territory”.
The downed jet was confirmed to be an F-15 Strike Eagle
An empty ejection seat from the US jet was also found nearbyCredit: X
A frantic operation unfolded after the crash of the F-15E Strike Eagle jet on Friday, as Iran also promised a reward for anyone who turned in the enemy pilot.
A second crew member was rescued earlier.
Trump wrote that the aviator is injured but will be “just fine”, adding that he took refuge on the treacherous mountains of Iran.
The daring rescue involved dozens of aircraft and the US had been monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.
Trump posted: “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!
“At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him.”
The fighter jet was the first US aircraft to have crashed in Iranian territory since the conflict started in late February.
Two crew members ejected over treacherous terrain near the Iraqi border.
US Central Command meanwhile launched a desperate search effort – deploying Black Hawks and a low-flying refuelling plane.
One airman was swiftly rescued, but the two helicopters involved were pounded by light weaponry as they made their escape.
They returned safely to Iraqi territory, despite one trailing smoke from the damage.
A sick $60,000 (£45,000) bounty was put on the head of the second pilot, with Iranian TV claiming a propaganda victory in gunning down the US jet.
Broadcasts also showed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps combing through the area of a search mission.
In a triumphant Truth Social post, Trump said today: “WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!
“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.
“This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World.”
Two Black Hawk helicopters and a low-flying refuelling plane were filmed searching for the missing pilotsCredit: Sky News Inside elite unit racing to rescue the US pilot
BY Robin Perrie, Chief Foreign Correspondent
THE search for the missing American pilot was spearheaded by one of the world’s most highly trained Special Forces units dubbed the PJs.
The pararescuemen – whose entire focus is Personnel Recovery (PR) – have an incredible range of skills including parachuting from 30,000ft, rescuing soldiers trapped underground and conducting life-saving medical procedures while under enemy fire.
These units are often pre-emptively deployed near war zones where aircraft could be taken out.
Top brass came to realise the need for a dedicated rescue force during the Second World War and the Pararescue Unit was established in 1946 with the motto “These Things We Do, That Others May Live”.
The nickname derives from early flight logs when they were entered as PJ, a combination of Parachutist and Jumper.
The unit comprises around 500 special operators who work as independent teams whenever an American or allied soldier needs rescuing.
Security analyst Aaron MacLean, a Marine Corps veteran, said: “They are an extraordinary group of special operators.”
Their nickname derives from early flight logs when they were entered as PJ, a combination of Parachutist and Jumper.
The unit comprises around 500 special operators who work as independent teams whenever an American or allied soldier needs rescuing.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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