Two American pilots who were stranded in Iran after their F-15 fighter jet was shot down Friday were recovered in a search and rescue operation, President Donald Trump revealed late Saturday night.
“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!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“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. 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.”
One pilot was rescued on Friday, and the other was rescued early Sunday morning local time, U.S. officials told CBS News.
The pilots were taking part in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which was launched in late February under the name Operation Epic Fury. Just three days into the conflict, by March 3, 13 U.S. service members had been killed, as well as 3,527 Iranians, including 1,606 civilians, 244 of which were children, per reporting from Reuters.
The successful rescue operation saw Trump issue a rare call for unity between Republicans and Democrats.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World.”