Second Pilot of Downed F-15E Jet Rescued Safely Over Iran: President Trump

U.S. forces have safely rescued the second crew member of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet that was shot down over Iran on Friday, according to two U.S. officials on Saturday night.

The weapons systems officer (backseater) sustained injuries but is in stable condition and expected to recover, officials said. The pilot of the jet had already been rescued shortly after the incident.

President Donald Trump confirmed the successful rescue on his social media platform Truth Social, describing the airman as a “highly respected Colonel.”

A senior U.S. administration official stated that the CIA played a key role by launching a deception operation inside Iran to confuse Iranian forces. The agency then located the airman and provided real-time intelligence to the military, enabling a swift rescue mission.

Iran claimed its Revolutionary Guard shot down the F-15E using an advanced air defense system. This is believed to be the first confirmed U.S. combat aircraft loss inside Iranian territory during the ongoing conflict.

A supporting A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft was also hit by Iranian fire during the search operation. The pilot ejected safely, and the plane crashed in Kuwaiti airspace.

The incident comes as the U.S. has intensified its airstrikes on Iran amid the continuing war.