U.S. rescues airman whose F-15 was downed in Iran, say U.S. officials

The United ‌States rescued an airman caught ​behind enemy lines ⁠after Iran shot down his F-15 fighter jet, the government said ‌early on Sunday (April 5, 2026), resolving a major crisis for ‌President Donald Trump with ‌the ⁠war on Iran in ⁠its sixth week.

“Over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled ​off one ‌of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History,” according to a ‌statement from Mr. Trump posted ​by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on ⁠X.

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Mr. Trump said the crew member was injured but “he will ‌be just fine.”

The airman was the second member of a two-person crew of an F-15 that Iran said on Friday was brought ‌down by its air defenses. Reuters ​reported on Friday that the first member ⁠of the crew had been recovered, ⁠triggering a high-profile search for remaining airman by ‌both Iran and the United States.