Second American pilot rescued in 'daring' mission inside Iran
By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square
A second American pilot who was shot down over Iran on Friday has been rescued in a daring overnight operation.
“We got him!” President Donald Trump exclaimed in a Truth Social Post.
Trump, who remained working from the Oval Office Saturday, announced in the early morning hours Sunday by describing the mission as the most “daring” in American history.
The president didn’t identify the officer by name or branch, but underscored that the rescued pilot is a “highly respected colonel” and is “safe and sound!” despite sustaining injuries.
Trump provided a glimpse into the complex mission, which reportedly included the deployment of special operations forces to execute the dangerous operation. The president indicated that the military was tracking the pilot’s location in the lead-up to the rescue.
“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. 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,” the president wrote.
Trump remarked on the fact that neither his administration nor the Pentagon confirmed the second rescue operation that took place shortly after the crash of the fighter jet.
“This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory,” the president explained. “WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies.”
In a separate post, Trump described the officer as having been seriously wounded, who had been rescued from “deep inside the mountains of Iran” in broad daylight.
“The Iranian military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close,” the president confirmed. “This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to ‘man and equipment.’ It just doesn’t happen! The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending several hours over Iran. An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!”
Trump concluded his Easter morning post by announcing that he will host a news conference in the Oval Office Monday afternoon, featuring military representatives.