The Inside Story of One Airman’s Miracle Escape [WATCH]

The rescue followed the downing of an F-15 aircraft over Iran, with two crew members ejecting.

The airman recovered during the operation was described as seriously wounded and had been located in mountainous terrain while Iranian forces searched the area.

“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 Saturday night on Truth Social.

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Additional details have emerged about how U.S. intelligence agencies contributed to the mission. Senior administration officials said the CIA used a deception campaign to divert attention while search efforts continued.

According to those officials, the CIA spread information within Iran suggesting that U.S. forces had already located the second airman and were extracting him by sea.

The effort was intended to misdirect Iranian forces and provide additional time to locate the weapons systems officer.

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The agency initially detected a distress signal from the missing airman and relayed the information to the Pentagon and the White House.

Officials said there were early concerns that the signal could have been an Iranian trap.

“There was a lot at stake here,” a source said.

After determining the signal was authentic, intelligence teams used technical capabilities to pinpoint the airman’s location.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe then informed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan “Raizin’” Caine, and the president.

“Within eight hours, we had planes in motion,” a source said.

“Within almost 12 hours we were on the ground in Iran.”

The operation involved multiple layers of military support. MQ-9 Reaper drones were deployed to secure the area, engaging potential threats approaching the airman’s position or U.S. forces operating nearby.

“We executed multiple large-scale strikes in the surrounding area using every tactical jet in the U.S. inventory and B-1 Bombers to keep him safe,” a senior U.S. official said.

Trump later described the conditions faced by the airman during the operation.

“We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran,” he wrote Sunday morning.

“The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close.”

He also detailed the difficulty of the mission.

“This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to ‘man and equipment.’ It just doesn’t happen!” Trump said.

He added that multiple operations were required to recover both crew members.

“The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran. An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!” Trump wrote.

Trump also emphasized the coordination behind the mission.

“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, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue,” he said.

The rescued airman was the second of the two crew members from the downed aircraft, which Iran said had been brought down by its air defenses.

Iranian state-affiliated media later claimed that several U.S. aircraft were destroyed during the rescue mission, including a C-130 transport plane and two Black Hawk helicopters.

Israeli intelligence officials also played a role in the operation, assisting in confirming the airman’s location and helping rule out the possibility of a trap.

An Israeli official told Reuters that Israeli forces paused operations in the area to facilitate the mission.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the rescue.

“All Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America’s dauntless warriors,” Netanyahu said.

“This proves that when free societies muster their courage and their resolve, they can confront seemingly insurmountable odds and overcome the forces of darkness and terror.”

Following the mission, Trump issued additional remarks addressing broader tensions in the region.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” he wrote. “There will be nothing like it!!!”

“Open the F**kin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” he added.

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