Donald Trump praises elite forces after risky mission saves downed airman in Iran
April 5, 2026: US President Donald Trump described the rescued American airman as “seriously wounded” and “really brave” after a high-risk mission deep inside Iran. The officer, identified as a colonel and weapons systems operator of a downed F-15E fighter jet, was rescued two days after the aircraft was shot down. While the pilot had been recovered earlier, the second crew member remained stranded in mountainous terrain before being located and evacuated. Trump said the operation was rare due to the extreme risks involved and praised it as an extraordinary display of courage and military precision.
The rescue mission involved US special forces, including Navy SEAL Team Six, supported by extensive air cover and multiple aircraft. Officials said the operation faced complications after at least two transport aircraft malfunctioned at a staging base, prompting the deployment of additional planes. After completing the extraction, the disabled aircraft were destroyed to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. The rescued officer has since been flown to Kuwait for medical treatment, with US authorities confirming he is injured but stable.
The airman survived nearly 48 hours behind enemy lines using Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training, taking cover in rugged mountain terrain and using limited resources, including a secure communication device. Meanwhile, the Central Intelligence Agency reportedly ran a parallel deception operation to mislead Iranian forces while tracking his location. Once his coordinates were confirmed, a coordinated rescue was launched, highlighting what officials described as one of the most complex and daring operations in recent US military history.