A U.S. military member missing from a downed warplane in Iran has been successfully rescued after a tense situation involving gunfire. According to a U.S. government official speaking to Al Jazeera, the second crew member of the F-15E aircraft has been located, although the rescue mission is still ongoing, awaiting successful extraction.
President Donald Trump confirmed the safe recovery of the airman through social media, praising the military’s efforts in executing a daring Search and Rescue Operation. The rescued crew member, identified as a highly esteemed Colonel, was found safe after being located behind enemy lines in the challenging terrain of Iran.
Iran had shot down an F15-E Strike Eagle fighter jet, leading to the successful extraction of one service member to safety while the search continued for the second crew member. The last instance of a U.S. warplane being downed by enemy fire in combat was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as noted by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 fighter pilot.
Reportedly, U.S. special forces carried out a rescue mission in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran, following confrontations with the Basij Resistance Forces. Additionally, U.S. airstrikes targeted communication facilities in Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh, and Boyer-Ahmad Province to disrupt Iranian forces’ communication and coordination.
In response to escalating tensions, President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz by a specified deadline, a move criticized by Tehran as “unbalanced and foolish.”
