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A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle took off on a mission to support Operation Epic Fury during the Iran conflict at an undisclosed location on March 9, 2026. — Reuters
- Rescue operation encountered significant Iranian resistance.
- U.S. helicopters and A-10 aircraft were damaged during the missions.
- The war has caused global energy prices to spike, unsettling markets.
WASHINGTON: U.S. forces successfully executed a daring rescue of an airman behind enemy lines after Iran shot down his fighter jet, according to officials Sunday. The operation proved a relief for President Donald Trump as he considers whether to escalate the conflict, now in its sixth week.
The rescued airman, identified by Trump as a colonel, was the weapons-systems officer aboard the shot-down F-15, a U.S. official informed Reuters. “Over the past several hours, the U.S. military carried out one of the most daring search and rescue missions in American history,” Trump stated, noting that the airman was injured but expected to recover fully.
This was the second crew member retrieved from the aircraft Iran claimed was brought down by its defenses on Friday. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported the destruction of several aircraft during the rescue mission, according to Tasnim news agency. Previously, Reuters confirmed the first crew member was recovered, prompting a high-profile search for the second.
Iranian authorities urged citizens to help locate the missing airman, aiming to leverage the situation against Washington amid ongoing hostilities initiated by Trump and Israel on February 28. Trump has warned of potential escalation through attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
Had Iran captured the airman, it could have triggered a hostage crisis that might have shifted American public opinion during a conflict already deemed unpopular in polls.
Trump described the rescue as occurring “in the rugged mountains of Iran,” stating it’s likely the first time in military history that two U.S. pilots were independently rescued from deep within enemy territory.
A U.S. official mentioned that as the weapons-systems officer was moved from near a mountain to a transport aircraft within Iran, U.S. forces had to destroy at least one aircraft due to technical issues.
US Aircraft Encountered Heavy Fire
The rescue effort involved numerous military aircraft and met fierce resistance from Iran. Reuters reported that two Black Hawk helicopters involved in the operation were hit but managed to exit Iranian airspace. Additionally, a pilot ejected from an A-10 Warthog aircraft after being hit over Kuwait; the extent of injuries remains unknown.
Trump praised the operation, stating, “The fact that we completed both missions without any American fatalities or injuries proves that we have achieved overwhelming air dominance over Iran.”
Despite U.S. training in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) techniques, few service members speak Persian fluently, making it challenging to stay hidden and seek rescue behind enemy lines.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and over 300 wounded, according to U.S. Central Command. No American troops have been captured by Iran.
While Trump often portrays Iran’s military as incapacitated, Iran has repeatedly managed to strike U.S. aircraft. U.S. intelligence indicates Iran retains significant missile and drone capabilities, with estimates suggesting about one-third of its missile arsenal has been destroyed, and the rest likely damaged or stored in underground tunnels and bunkers.
The U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran has spread across the Middle East, leading to thousands of casualties and soaring energy prices globally, fueling inflation fears.
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