President Donald Trump, in a post on his social media platform, hailed the rescue of the second crew member from an F-15E fighter jet downed over Iran, calling it «one of the «most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History» and writing, «WE GOT HIM!»
In the post, Trump said the operation unfolded over several hours and involved dozens of aircraft. He said the rescued crew member, a weapons system officer, is a colonel who sustained injuries «but he will be just fine,» Trump said, adding he is «SAFE and SOUND!»
The post provides some details about the roughly 48-hour ordeal.
«This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue,» Trump wrote.
Trump said the earlier rescue of the F-15E pilot was not confirmed on Friday to not jeopardize the rescue mission for the weapons system officer.
«This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory,» Trump said in the post. «WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!»
