Arabic version: الجيش الأمريكي ينقذ بنجاح ضابط F-15 الذي أسقط في إيران

The US military has successfully rescued a crew member of the F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over southern Iran. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation via social media, stating the officer is now “SAFE and SOUND!” However, he later noted that the airman had sustained serious injuries during the incident. The jet was reportedly downed by Iranian air defense forces, prompting a rapid search for the missing crew member.

According to BBC News, the rescue operation was described as a “huge” combat search and rescue mission. Trump emphasized the complexity and danger involved, as these missions are typically rare due to the risks involved for both personnel and equipment. The president redirected multiple operations in Iran to concentrate on the rescue, deploying dozens of special operations forces.

The downed officer, identified as a colonel, spent more than 24 hours evading capture in the mountains of Iran, hiding with a handgun. Reports indicate he concealed himself in a mountain crevice and navigated a challenging terrain to avoid detection. His location was continuously monitored by US officials, who were preparing the rescue operation.

After the successful extraction, he was flown to Kuwait for medical treatment. The CIA played a significant role in the operation by tracking the airman’s location and misleading Iranian forces about his status. Trump stated that the military deployed numerous aircraft for the operation, which was executed without any American casualties.

Iranian state media reported that troops from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a US drone that was involved in the search for the missing airman. Earlier, Iranian authorities had expressed their desire to find the missing American alive and had even offered rewards for assistance in locating him. The situation underscores the intense and dangerous nature of military operations in hostile territories.