US President Donald Trump today announced that the United States military successfully carried out two high-risk rescue operations to recover American pilots from hostile territory, calling the missions one of the most daring in US history.
According to the statement, the most recent operation involved the recovery of a US crew member and senior officer, identified as a Colonel, who had been stranded behind enemy lines in mountainous terrain in Iran. The officer had reportedly been pursued by opposing forces before being located and extracted by the US forces.
Trump posted on Truth Social, “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!”
He also wrote, “This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.
Trump said the rescue mission involved dozens of aircraft equipped with advanced weaponry. The colonel sustained injuries but is expected to recover soon.
The announcement also revealed that a second pilot had been rescued in a separate operation a day earlier. Officials had not disclosed that mission at the time, citing concerns about operational security during the ongoing effort to recover the second individual.
“This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. pilots have been rescued separately deep in enemy territory,” Trump said, adding that no American personnel were killed or wounded in either operation. He added, “WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!”
He further asserted that the success of the missions demonstrates U.S. air superiority over Iranian airspace. Trump praised the military’s coordination and professionalism, stating that leadership and personnel had been monitoring the situation continuously and planning the rescues in detail.