US President Donald Trump said on Sunday American forces have rescued the weapons officer who went missing after his F-15E jet was shot down over Iran. Tehran had reportedly offered a reward of about $66,000 for his capture.
"WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The US military sent "dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him," the president said. "He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine."
Trump added, "The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies".
The jet carrying two people was shot down on Friday, and the other crew member was reported to have been saved earlier. Trump said the US didn't confirm the first rescue to avoid jeopardizing the second operation.
Iranian officials had claimed that the US military's F-15E Strike Eagle was brought down by its air defences, in the first such incident since the war began over a month ago. While one pilot was quickly rescued, the search for the other continued.
The US president has repeatedly claimed dominance over Iranian airspace and used maximalist rhetoric to claim victory and that Iran's military capability has been eliminated in an effort to calm markets and an American public that is strongly opposed to the war.
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