Missing American pilot RESCUED after ‘heavy firefight’ with Iranian forces

Dan McDonald
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 04:09:22 +0000

An American pilot who went missing after an F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran has been rescued following a “heavy firefight”, US officias have confirmed.

The crew member, together with the rescue team, has now safely left Iranian territory.

Two crew members ejected from the aircraft after it was downed by Iranian forces on Friday.

One was located shortly after the crash, while the second remained missing.

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The incident sparked an intense search-and-rescue operation in southern Iran.

President Donald Trump announced the mission had been accomplished on his Truth Social platform, declaring: "WE GOT HIM!"

"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," he wrote.

"I am thrilled to let you know he is now SAFE and SOUND!

"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."

The President confirmed the airman had sustained injuries from the crash, but "will be just fine".

He continued: "This is the first time in military memory that two US pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in enemy territory.

"WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!"

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Mr Trump confirmed that no US military personnel were injured or killed in the daring rescue operation.

He added: "This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around.

"We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal military in the history of the world."

The incident - the first time enemy fire had downed a US fighter jet during the conflict - sparked an intense manhunt by the Islamic Republic.

The regime had placed a £50,000 bounty on the airman's head in a bid to motivate Iranians to hand him over to authorities if he were found.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it downed a US aircraft involved in the rescue mission, according to Iranian state media.

The force said the plane was shot down in Isfahan province - around 400km from where the F-15 crashed on Friday.

However, the US has not confirmed the claim.