US special operations forces rescued a downed American airman deep inside Iran on Sunday, successfully extracting the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet shot down by Iranian air defenses last week.
The weapons-systems officer, a colonel, was recovered from mountainous terrain in a high-risk operation that President Donald Trump described as “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US history.” The airman was injured but is expected to recover.
The rescue came amid fierce resistance from Iranian forces. Iran claimed its air defenses destroyed several US aircraft during the mission, while US officials confirmed that two Black Hawk helicopters were hit by fire but returned safely. A separate A-10 Warthog was also hit over Kuwait, forcing its pilot to eject.
The successful extraction resolves an immediate crisis for the Trump administration in the sixth week of the US-Israel war against Iran, averting a potential hostage situation that could have further eroded public support for the conflict.