Washington, April 7: President Donald Trump announced that two pilots stranded in Iran were rescued during a significant U.S. air operation involving over 100 aircraft. This mission was one of the most challenging combat search and rescue operations in recent years.
The incident occurred during Operation Epic Fury, when an F-15 fighter jet crashed late Thursday night in Iranian territory. Both crew members ejected, with one pilot rescued within hours, while the other went missing. The second pilot remained unaccounted for nearly two days before being extracted in a follow-up mission.
During a press conference at the White House, Trump stated, “Within hours, our military deployed 21 military aircraft into enemy airspace, facing heavy fire from the adversary. We operated over Iran for seven hours during the day.”
Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Keen explained that the pilots became isolated after ejecting, prompting an immediate rescue operation to bring them home safely.
The first pilot was rescued in daylight as U.S. aircraft entered Iranian airspace and engaged enemy forces. The second pilot, a weapon systems officer, landed far from the crash site in a wounded state and was surrounded by hostile forces.
Trump noted that the second pilot was severely injured and trapped in a terrorist-infested area, which forced him to navigate through rugged terrain to avoid capture.
The scope of the second rescue mission was rapidly expanded. Trump reported that “155 aircraft were involved, including four bombers, 64 fighters, 48 refueling tankers, and 13 rescue aircraft.” The U.S. military also executed a strategic plan to mislead the Iranian forces searching for the injured pilot.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe emphasized that the entire operation relied on speed and accuracy, likening the search to finding a grain of sand in a desert.
Ratcliffe stated that the CIA utilized human resources and advanced technology while executing a campaign to distract the Iranian rescue team.
Once the position of the second pilot was confirmed, U.S. forces initiated a nighttime rescue under significant threat. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the mission as “high risk, high stakes in enemy territory.”
He revealed that after activating his beacon, the injured pilot sent a brief message: “God is good.”
Keen mentioned that rescue aircraft, including A-10 support planes and drones, engaged enemy forces while helicopters advanced to rescue the pilot. One aircraft came under fire but was later safely returned to friendly territory, although some helicopters involved in the initial rescue experienced minor fires, resulting in slight injuries to the pilot.
Despite the serious dangers, all personnel successfully rescued the pilot without any loss of life. Hegseth confirmed, “No American lives were lost.”
Trump acknowledged that some military officials opposed the mission due to the risks involved, stating, “Some military officers said, ‘Do not do this,’ considering the potential for hundreds of casualties.”
He also expressed frustration over media coverage that reported the pilot’s disappearance, which alerted Iranian officials and triggered a large-scale search. Trump remarked, “The entire country of Iran knew that a pilot was fighting for his life.”
Officials indicated that recent operations against Iran involved over 10,000 fighter jets and more than 13,000 attacks. Trump described the scale of these operations as unprecedented.
The downing of the F-15E marked the first loss of a manned aircraft in the current operation.
The U.S. has long adhered to the principle of retrieving its personnel from enemy territory, a doctrine reinforced through conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. Such missions are among the most challenging in warfare, requiring coordination between air, ground, and intelligence units.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have persisted for decades, fueled by disputes over nuclear ambitions, regional influence, and military confrontations.
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