We got him: Trump says missing pilot of downed F-15 safely rescued from Iran

Missing since the downing of his fighter aircraft in Iran, the US Air Force pilot has been rescued and safely evacuated after a dramatic firefight. Trump confirmed the pilot is "safe and sound" after a "daring" operation.

In Short

• Pilot missing since downing of F-15 fighter recovered after heavy firefight
• Trump confirms rescue in Truth Social post, says pilot injured 'but will be fine'
• Iran claimed it shot down the aircraft on Friday, one pilot already rescued

The second US pilot shot down over Iran has been rescued and is now safely out of the country, a top official told Al Jazeera on Sunday, capping one of the most complex search-and-rescue missions carried out by American forces in enemy territory in decades.

"We got him," US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social, confirming that the second crew member from the downed F-15E fighter jet has been rescued and is "safe and sound".

"My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel," he wrote.

Iranian officials had claimed that the US military's F-15E Strike Eagle was brought down by its air defences on Friday, in the first such incident since the war began five weeks ago. Both the American and Iranian military launched a frantic search to find the crew members: the former aiming to bring them to safety, and the latter hoping to use them as leverage.

While one pilot was quickly rescued, the search for the other, a weapons systems officer, continued.

The F-15E crew member's survival hinged on evading capture in hostile terrain, even as Iranian authorities tracked his location. To make matters worse, Tehran had offered a reward of $60,000 to anyone who captured him alive.

HIGH-RISK RESCUE UNDER FIRE

A US government official told Al Jazeera on Sunday that the missing airman was located overnight after evading Iranian authorities for two days. According to the official, Iranian authorities had known where the US believed the crew member was, adding urgency to the operation.

Trump said the Pentagon had been monitoring the officer "24 hours a day" and "diligently planning for his rescue". The military sent "dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the world to retrieve him", he said.

"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," Trump wrote.

But things didn't go as planned, and a fierce firefight broke out during the US forces' recovery attempt, per Al Jazeera. The operation remained perilous, with both the pilot and rescue team exposed to ongoing hostilities.

The pilot sustained injuries, but "will be just fine", Trump added.

The US President went on to say that the operation showed "we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies", claiming that no Americans were killed or wounded.

Tehran has yet to react to the rescue operation.

TRUMP VOWS TO RAIN HELL ON IRAN

Meanwhile, Trump turned up the pressure on Iran, renewing demands that it reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor, or face severe consequences.

"Time is running out -- 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them," he vowed.

Tehran responded with a warning of its own. "The doors of hell will be opened to you" if Iran’s infrastructure is attacked, General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of the country’s joint military command said, according to state media. He also threatened US military-linked infrastructure in the region.

Beyond the loss of the two advanced aircraft, the war has taken a toll on US forces. At least 13 American service members have been killed and about 300 wounded since the campaign began.

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