Details are emerging from the rescue operation of the American pilot after the downing of the F-15. Donald Trump, in his post, described the operation as one of the most daring Search and Rescue operations in U.S. History. As he wrote, while the pilot was in the mountains of Iran, his colleagues were monitoring him and devising rescue plans. “Upon my order, the American military sent dozens of aircraft, equipped with the most lethal weapons in the world, to retrieve him,” he noted.
Read: “We have him, he is safe and healthy”: Trump confirmed the rescue of the missing F-15 pilot in Iran
Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin, for her part, described the CIA’s trick, which proceeded with a “disinformation campaign” within Iran, before the Pentagon began the rescue mission.
Before the armed forces member was located, the CIA spread word that American forces had already located the missing colonel and were transporting him overland for evacuation, Griffin said, citing a senior government official.
The CIA used its “unique, extremely sophisticated capabilities” to locate the American pilot
Griffin reported that, while Iranian forces were in confusion and uncertainty about what was happening, the CIA was using its “unique, extremely sophisticated capabilities” to locate the American serviceman.
The correspondent described the operation as “like looking for a needle in a haystack,” with the American hiding inside a mountain crevice. As reported, the officer allegedly climbed to a mountain ridge and remained hidden there for nearly 48 hours. The armed forces member either used encrypted communication or activated a locator beacon to help American forces find him.
The CIA immediately communicated the serviceman’s location to the Pentagon and the White House. Subsequently, President Donald Trump immediately ordered a rescue operation, which was executed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), with CIA support providing real-time intelligence.
The operation involved elite special operations forces and aircraft from multiple branches of the armed forces. The operation did not involve gunfire exchanges between American and Iranian forces, according to a senior official, however American forces used weapons to keep Iranian forces away from the rescue point.
Trump: “We have him, he is safe”
The pilot’s rescue was initially reported by international media and shortly after confirmed by Donald Trump. In his Truth Social post, he stated that the pilot is safe and described the rescue operation.
“My fellow Americans, in the last few hours the United States Military conducted one of the most daring Search and Rescue operations in U.S. History, for one of our outstanding crew officers, who is also a highly respected Colonel, and I am pleased to inform you that he is now SAFE and SECURE!
This brave warrior was behind enemy lines, in the dangerous mountains of Iran, being hunted by our enemies who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but he was never really alone, as the Chief of Staff, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his fellow soldiers were monitoring his location 24 hours a day and carefully planning his rescue.
Upon my order, the American military sent dozens of aircraft, equipped with the most lethal weapons in the world, to retrieve him. He was injured but will make a full recovery.
This wonderful Search and Rescue operation comes in addition to yesterday’s successful rescue of another brave pilot, which we did not confirm at the time, so as not to endanger the second operation.
This is the first time in military history that two American pilots have been rescued, separately, deep inside enemy territory. We will never leave any American soldier behind.
The fact that we managed to complete both of these operations without a SINGLE American death or injury proves once again that we have achieved absolute air supremacy and superiority in Iranian skies.
This is a moment when ALL Americans – Republicans, Democrats and everyone else – should feel proud and united.
We truly have the best, most professional and most powerful military in the history of the world.”
