Trump: Officers Rescued Deep in Enemy Territory

President Donald Trump announced on April 5, 2026, that the United States military has rescued a missing service member who was shot down over Iran. The rescue operation, which took place on Saturday, April 4, 2026, involved U.S. Special Operations forces conducting a mission deep inside enemy territory to retrieve the officer.

The rescued airman, identified by the president as a highly respected Colonel, was a weapons system officer aboard an F-15E Strike Eagle. According to President Trump, the officer had been located in the treacherous mountains of Iran and was being hunted by enemy forces before the retrieval mission succeeded.

The Colonel sustained injuries during the crash but is reported to be SAFE and SOUND and is expected to be just fine, according to a Truth Social post from the president.

Details of the Rescue Operation

The high-stakes search and rescue operation began after the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down on Friday, April 3, 2026, while conducting military operations in Iran. The aircraft was downed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Iranian military branch responsible for protecting the regime.

President Trump stated that he directed the U.S. Military to deploy dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to ensure the successful recovery of the officer. He described the mission as one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.

The rescue of the Colonel followed the earlier recovery of the aircraft’s pilot, who was rescued alive shortly after the crash on April 3. President Trump noted that this marks the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots were rescued separately while deep in enemy territory.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the president remained in the Oval Office throughout the day, receiving constant updates from the Secretary of War.

Iranian Response and Context

Prior to the rescue, Iranian state media had published photographs on April 3, 2026, showing wreckage consistent with a U.S. Air Force F-15. A state television anchor also announced that Iranian authorities had offered a bounty to anyone who could deliver the missing airman alive.

The incident occurred during the broader context of the Iran war, as part of missions supporting Operation Epic Fury. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed for long-range strikes and air superiority.

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!

Donald Trump via Truth Social

The rescue operation concluded after nearly three days of searching for the weapons system officer, who had ejected from the cockpit on April 3 along with the pilot.