Washington, D.C. — The United States military has successfully recovered the second crew member of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet from Iranian territory, President Donald J. Trump announced on Sunday. The high-risk combat search-and-rescue mission, conducted amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, involved dozens of aircraft, hundreds of special operations personnel, and a heavy firefight with Iranian forces.
The F-15E, operated by the 494th Fighter Squadron (Black Panthers) based at RAF Lakenheath, was shot down on Friday over a remote area of Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran, near the Karoon River. Both the pilot and the weapons systems officer (WSO) — a highly respected Colonel — ejected safely. The pilot was rescued shortly after the incident. The WSO, however, evaded capture for approximately 24 to 48 hours while Iranian forces actively searched for him in the mountainous terrain.
U.S. forces launched an extensive combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) operation at the President’s direction. Reports indicate the mission deployed dozens of aircraft and special forces teams, culminating in a intense engagement with Iranian units during the extraction. The second crew member was located and recovered alive early Sunday morning. Both airmen sustained injuries but are reported to be stable and expected to recover fully. No U.S. personnel were killed in the operation.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, President Trump declared: “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 added, “At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!”
The rescue follows weeks of intensified military operations under what has been described as Operation Epic Fury, launched in late February. Iran has claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft and had mobilized resources to locate the missing crew member. This marks the first confirmed loss of a U.S. manned combat aircraft over Iranian soil since the current phase of the conflict began.
Military experts have praised the operation as a demonstration of U.S. special operations proficiency in contested environments, relying on precise intelligence, rapid deployment, and coordinated air support. Details regarding additional support assets — such as reports of temporary forward positions or the destruction of immobilized C-130 aircraft on the ground — remain limited due to operational security.
The incident occurs against the backdrop of a broader Middle East crisis, where coalition strikes have targeted Iranian infrastructure and retaliatory actions continue. U.S. officials have withheld the identities of the crew members for security reasons, and both are receiving medical care at an undisclosed location.
This successful recovery is expected to bolster morale among U.S. and allied forces while underscoring the persistent risks to aircrews operating in the region. Diplomatic channels for de-escalation remain active, though no immediate ceasefire has been announced.
