Trump celebrates rescue of American airman shot down over Iran

President Donald Trump Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images 2026-04-05T11:54:07.100Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. A dramatic search and rescue operation has recovered a US airman shot down over Iran on Friday. President Trump said the airman "sustained injuries, but he will be just fine." He said dozens of military aircraft were involved in the rescue mission. AI-generated summary Summaries are generated by an AI model trained on Business Insider's articles. AI may make mistakes or provide inaccurate/incomplete information. We're unable to load that answer right now. Please try again. How does the US handle downed aircraft? What is Operation Epic Fury? What are the risks of friendly fire? What are Black Hawk helicopters used for? How do search and rescue missions work? A US airman who was missing after his aircraft was shot down over Iran on Friday has been rescued, President Donald Trump announced early on Sunday. He said the airman was injured but "will be just fine." Loading audio narration... "WE GOT HIM!" President Trump posted on Truth Social."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 Office Members, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is SAFE and SOUND!" The search and rescue mission was launched after the American fighter jet was downed. Photos of debris said to be from an F-15 fighter jet and video footage said to show search and rescue operations with Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft circulated online. President Trump, celebrating the recovery of the airman, added on Truth Social: "At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine."The US Air Force has lost several aircraft during Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28. This, however, marks the first loss over Iran. At the start of the Iran war, three US F-15s were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in what CENTCOM described as "an apparent friendly fire incident." All six crew members survived.Then on March 12, a US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members. A second American aircraft involved in the incident landed safely.