INTERNATIONAL, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — In a breathtaking mission that unfolded deep inside hostile territory, U.S. special forces have rescued the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet shot down over Iran. The officer, a weapons systems specialist, was wounded but managed to evade capture for more than 24 hours in the treacherous mountains before being pulled to safety.
The downing of the jet set off a frantic race between American commandos and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), both determined to find the missing officer. U.S. officials confirmed that both crew members were eventually rescued in separate operations inside Iran, marking one of the most audacious missions in recent memory.
Saturday’s extraction was carried out by an elite commando unit under heavy air cover. Sources described a torrent of fire unleashed to secure the officer’s escape, with all U.S. forces now safely out of Iran.
The drama began Friday when the pilot and weapons officer ejected and made contact via comms. The pilot was rescued within hours, though Iran managed to strike a U.S. Blackhawk helicopter during that mission, wounding crew members but failing to stop the aircraft. The second officer’s rescue required a day-long search across rugged terrain.
Behind the scenes, the CIA orchestrated a deception campaign, spreading false intelligence inside Iran to mislead enemy forces while deploying advanced surveillance to pinpoint the officer’s location. Once identified, the Pentagon and White House coordinated the rescue, with President Trump ordering immediate action.
Trump later hailed the mission on Truth Social as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history.” He confirmed the officer, a colonel, sustained injuries but is expected to recover.
A White House official said the president remained in the Oval Office throughout Saturday, receiving constant updates from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the mission unfolded.
