Trump hails rescue of second US crew from jet downed in Iran
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New York: President Donald Trump announced the successful rescue of the second crew member from a US F-15E Strike Eagle jet shot down by Iran, in a daring operation deep inside the country.
"We got him," Trump posted on Truth Social just after midnight Sunday. "I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound!"
The "highly respected colonel"—identified by media as the jet's weapons officer—ejected along with the pilot during Friday's incident over Iran. The pilot was rescued shortly after, but the search for the colonel continued amid intensified US airstrikes, including the destruction of a key bridge leading to Tehran on Thursday.
Iran had placed a bounty on the colonel, making his capture a potential bargaining chip for Tehran. Trump, posting Saturday, warned Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face consequences: "Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait. Time is running out -- 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to God."
The mission tested US ground capabilities "behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran." Trump said the military deployed "dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him” from “behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Ir," to retrieve him without losing a single American. "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."
The colonel sustained injuries but "he will be just fine." US sources reported helicopters, troops, and airstrikes on approaching Iranian forces during the rescue, including a firefight. A rescue helicopter was damaged by enemy fire but escaped.
Separately, an A-10 Warthog possibly hit by Iranian fire crashed near the Gulf of Hormuz on Friday; its pilot safely landed outside Iranian territory and was recovered. Crew members carry beacons and comms devices to aid location and contact.
Two days earlier, Trump claimed in a national address that Iran's air defenses were "totally destroyed."
(Inputs from IANS)