‘WE GOT HIM!’ President Trump Responds As Second Airman Is Rescued From Enemy Territory in Iran – RedState
Late Saturday night, several media outlets reported that the second crew member of the F15E fighter was rescued behind enemy lines in Iran, and that the crew member and rescue team were all safe outside Iran.
Fox News can confirm that the second crew member of the downed F15E fighter jet has been rescued and that he and members of the rescue team who extracted him from behind enemy lines in Iran are all safe and sound outside Iran. This according to two senior American officials and several well… https://t.co/NKsLfayT53
– Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) April 5, 2026
Fox News can confirm that the second crew member of the downed F15E fighter jet has been rescued and that he and members of the rescue team who extracted him from behind enemy lines in Iran are all safe and sound outside Iran. This according to two senior US officials and several well-placed sources in the region. The weapons systems officer ejected with the pilot when their F15E Strike Eagle they were flying was struck Thursday evening (early Friday local time) in southwest Iran.
Shortly after, President Trump responded:
🚨 BREAKING — PRESIDENT TRUMP RESPONDS TO SUCCESSFUL F-15 WSO RESCUE OPERATION
“WE GOT HIM!”
My fellow Americans, over the past few hours, the United States military has conducted one of the most daring search and rescue operations in United States history, for one of our incredible… pic.twitter.com/k98aZoyBWP
– Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 5, 2026
My fellow Americans, over the past few hours, the United States military has carried out one of the most daring search and rescue operations in United States history, for one of our incredible aircrew officers, who also happens to be a well-respected colonel, and who I am delighted to let you know is now safe and sound!
The president’s full message:
FROM PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
WE got it! My fellow Americans, over the past few hours, the United States military has carried out one of the most daring search and rescue operations in United States history, for one of our incredible aircrew officers, who also happens to be a well-respected colonel, and who I am delighted to let you know is now safe and sound! This courageous warrior was behind enemy lines in the dangerous mountains of Iran, hunted by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but he was never truly alone because his commander in chief, his Secretary of War, his Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his fellow fighters monitored his position 24 hours a day and diligently planned his rescue. Under my instructions, the U.S. military sent dozens of planes, armed with the world’s deadliest weapons, to retrieve it. He was injured, but he’ll be fine. This miraculous search and rescue operation comes on top of the successful rescue of another brave pilot yesterday, which we have not confirmed as we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two American pilots have been rescued separately, in the heart of enemy territory. WE NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN FIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to successfully complete both operations, without a SINGLE American being killed or even injured, proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming air dominance and superiority over the skies of Iran. This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republicans, Democrats and everyone in between, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional and deadliest army in the history of the world. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!
Griffin, meanwhile, had more about what happened:
The WSO used SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training to evade capture, hiding on a raised ridge after moving away from the wreckage and turning on a distress beacon. These are videos released by local eyewitnesses that show injured and dead Iranian IRGC and Basij members who were searching for the downed American crew member. Fox learned that there was fighting on the ground, but no Americans were killed during the operation.
MORE: Time is running out: Trump warns Iran it has 48 hours to open Hormuz or face hell raining
Reports: 1 crew member rescued after Iran shoots down US fighter jet, search continues for second
The fighting became intense as U.S. and Iranian forces desperately searched for the downed pilot:
A US airman missing after Iran shot down an F-15 fighter jet has been rescued after a “heavy exchange of fire”, a US government official told Al Jazeera.
Although the weapons officer has been found, it appears the operation is still ongoing and the crew may still be on Iranian territory and in danger.
This followed reports of airstrikes overnight in Dehdasht, near where the plane was shot down.
Two crew members had ejected from the plane after Tehran forces shot it down on Friday, with one of them located shortly after the crash, but the whereabouts of the second are unknown.
The ensuing manhunt for the missing weapons officer sparked a race between US forces and armed Iranian nomads, driven by a £50,000 bounty offered by the Islamic Republic for the airman’s capture.
They got it.
F-15E Weapons Officer – over 36 hours behind enemy lines in Iran. Bounty on his head. Members of armed tribes hunt him. The IRGC on the ground.
American special forces have fought their way into the mountains. The helicopters came under fire from the MANPADS. The flying cover of the A-10 was shot down.
They kept… pic.twitter.com/6uBT7LNmHW
– IredcapI (@IredcapI) April 4, 2026
They kept coming back.
The two crew members return home.
This is very good news as Easter approaches. God bless our troops.
UPDATE 04/05/26 12:48 a.m.
I’m adding this tweet because it’s perfect:
I am speechless. I know our guys are really good, and I was hopeful, but it was as high a stake as it could get. This would be a military tradition for over 30 years. You make movies about this stuff and people won’t believe it.
The WSJ and the Washington Post also confirm.
Welcome home, friends! https://t.co/CmYLCPThz8
— KC-10 Pilot ✈️ 👨✈️ B-737 Wrangler (@MCCCANM) April 5, 2026
Editor’s note: For decades, past presidents have done nothing but talk. Now, Donald Trump eliminates the Iranian threat once and for all.
Help us reveal the truth about the Trump administration’s decisive actions to keep Americans safe and bring peace to the world. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership.
