Trump Announces Rescue of F-15 Pilot Involving 155 Aircraft

During the press conference, President Trump detailed the components of the rescue mission, noting that four bombers, 64 fighters, 48 refueling aircraft, and 13 rescue planes were deployed to save the second crew member. He emphasized that the operation aimed to confuse Iranian forces, who were also searching for the missing pilot. "This was an attempt to throw the Iranians off track, who were also looking for the missing crew member. We brought them all here, and much of it was a deception. We wanted them to think he was in another location," Trump stated.

In addition, Trump praised the heroism of the officer from the fighter jet's weapon systems, who self-administered first aid and contacted American forces for further transport to a safe zone. "The officer, having undergone training, ascended into dangerous mountainous terrain and began climbing to a higher altitude, which they were trained to do to avoid capture," the president added.

The White House chief also reported that 21 aircraft were involved in the rescue of the second crew member. During the operation, Iranian forces attempted to shoot down American planes, and one, an A-10, was shot down the same day, becoming part of the rescue mission for the F-15 crew. Trump did not overlook the issue of information leaks that complicated the operation. He warned journalists who published data about the downed aircraft, citing their own sources, stating that one reporter received a warning about possible imprisonment if they did not disclose their sources.

"This operation became much more complicated due to the information leak. We are searching very diligently to find this information. The person who published this story will go to prison if they do not speak up," Trump declared. He also emphasized that the publications negatively impacted the course of the search and rescue operation and promised to reach out to the media company that published the information, demanding a retraction.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset confirmed during the press conference that the rescue operation lasted nearly two days without interruption. CIA Director John Ratcliffe explained that the U.S. conducted a deception operation against the Iranian side to divert their attention and assist in the crew's rescue. "Since it is a unique tradition of the U.S. Armed Forces that we do not leave any man or woman behind, this mission was a success. The serviceman was hidden in a mountain ravine, still invisible to the enemy, but not to the CIA," Ratcliffe noted.

Trump also mentioned that not all of his military advisors supported this operation. "Among the military, there were people who said it was unwise. They claimed that hundreds of lives could be lost. I was told that this was a very dangerous mission. I understood. But they did not say it was a foolish mission," he added, noting that the operation received support from the Secretary of Defense and General Cain.

It is important to recall that on April 3, Iranian forces shot down an American F-15 fighter jet, which had a crew of two pilots. One of the pilots managed to eject and was rescued by two military helicopters. However, the second crew member remained missing. Subsequently, Trump confirmed that American special forces rescued the second crew member of the F-15 fighter jet. According to Axios, this crew member sustained injuries after ejecting from the aircraft but was able to walk and hid in the mountains for over a day, avoiding capture.

Trump emphasized that the U.S. Armed Forces conducted "one of the boldest search and rescue operations in U.S. history" to save the pilot. This situation further underscored the tension in U.S.-Iran relations and highlighted the importance of military operations in the modern world.