U.S. Special Forces Rescue Both F-15E Crew Members After Heavy Iran Firefight
U.S. Special Forces conducted the first confirmed ground raid inside Iranian territory, recovering an F-15E crew member after a 48-hour evasion deep in enemy-controlled mountains.
U.S. Special Forces executed the first verified ground raid inside Iranian territory Saturday night, engaging in intense combat with Iranian forces to extract the second F-15E crew member following a 48-hour evasion through the Zagros Mountains. President Donald Trump confirmed the mission's success Sunday morning with a Truth Social post declaring, "WE GOT HIM!"
Both crew members from the Strike Eagle shot down over southwestern Iran on April 3 are now accounted for, completing what military officials describe as the most daring search-and-rescue operation in recent U.S. history. The mission marked the first confirmed American ground operation inside Iran since Operation Epic Fury began 36 days ago on Feb. 28.
"This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour," Trump wrote.
The F-15E from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, UK was shot down by Iranian air defenses early Friday. Both crew ejected safely, but the pilot was rescued the same day by HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters that sustained Iranian fire and injuries, while the Weapons Systems Officer remained hidden.
For 36 to 48 hours, the colonel hid in what a senior administration official described as a "mountain crevice" while Iranian state media broadcast a $60,000 bounty for anyone who turned in the "enemy pilot" to authorities. Iranian forces conducted intensive searches throughout the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.
Before locating the WSO, the CIA launched a deception campaign spreading word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him for exfiltration. "While the Iranians were confused and uncertain of what was happening, the Agency used its unique, exquisite capabilities to search for — and find — the American airman," the senior administration official told Fox News and CBS News.
Hundreds of special operations personnel and dozens of aircraft participated in the Saturday night raid. The operation involved a "heavy firefight" with Iranian forces at the extraction site, according to multiple U.S. officials cited by Axios and Al Jazeera.
Two MC-130J aircraft landed at a forward airstrip inside Iran but became stuck in sand and were destroyed to prevent capture. Three replacement C-130s flew in to extract the special forces and rescued WSO, with all American forces exfiltrated safely early Sunday morning.
"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," Trump stated.
The president emphasized the historic nature of the dual rescues. "This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!"
The rescued colonel sustained injuries but "will be just fine," according to Trump's statement. The mission's success came despite complications including the loss of an A-10 Warthog hit by Iranian fire during the search mission, whose pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was rescued.
Operation Epic Fury continues as Trump's 48-hour ultimatum to Iran — issued Saturday — remains in effect. The president warned Iran to "MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT" or face consequences, writing, "Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them."
The regional conflict escalated simultaneously with the rescue operation. Israel struck Tehran air-defense sites and a projectile hit the perimeter of Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant, killing one security guard and prompting the International Atomic Energy Agency to express "deep concern" about attacks near nuclear facilities.
Tehran threatened dozens of U.S. tech firms in the Gulf, naming 18 companies including Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft as "legitimate targets." The Dubai Media Office confirmed the Oracle building was damaged by falling debris from an aerial interception.
"This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation," Trump noted, explaining the delayed announcement of the first rescue.
The successful rescue represents a major victory as Operation Epic Fury enters its 37th day — and a powerful demonstration of the U.S. military's commitment to leaving no servicemember behind, regardless of the cost or risk involved.