On Monday, President Donald Trump provided new details about a high-risk U.S. military rescue mission conducted deep inside Iran, recounting how a wounded American airman survived nearly 48 hours alone in hostile territory before being rescued. The airman, part of a two-man crew aboard an F-15E Strike Eagle, was ejected after the aircraft was shot down south of Isfahan. While one crew member was quickly recovered, the other, a weapons systems officer, was stranded, injured, and surrounded by Iranian forces.
Trump praised the airman for his resilience, noting that despite his injuries, he evaded capture for almost two days. “In the United States military, we leave no American behind. We don’t do it,” Trump said, emphasizing the heroic efforts of the rescue team. The airman, who suffered injuries during the ejection and crash, was able to avoid detection by Iranian forces and took shelter in a remote mountain area while evading ongoing patrols searching for him.
Once contact was made after nearly 48 hours, U.S. forces quickly mobilized a complex and highly coordinated rescue operation. Trump described the mission as “incredible,” highlighting how multiple layers of deception were used to confuse Iranian forces about the airman’s location. The operation involved special operations forces, intelligence assets, and a large aerial presence, including drones and fighter jets, to ensure the success of the mission and safeguard the airman’s recovery.
Despite mechanical issues with aircraft and hostile engagement with Iranian forces during the operation, U.S. troops persevered. Approximately 100 special operations soldiers were inserted into the mountainous terrain under the cover of darkness to reach the airman. After overcoming several challenges, the airman was successfully evacuated, and sensitive equipment that could not be recovered was destroyed to prevent it from falling into Iranian hands. The mission was hailed as a significant success, further underscoring the commitment of U.S. forces to never leave an American behind.