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U.S. President Donald Trump praised the U.S. military's rescue of a "seriously wounded" F-15E crew member from "deep inside the mountains of Iran" as "an AMAZING show of bravery and talent."
He revealed new details about both extraction operations and announced a press conference with military officials at the White House on Monday.
"We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close. He is a highly respected Colonel," he added.
Trump confirmed for the first time that the initial rescue of the F-15E's pilot on Friday involved U.S. forces spending seven hours operating over Iranian territory in daylight, an unusually prolonged and exposed operation.
"The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran," Trump wrote.
He described both operations as exceptionally rare.
"This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to man and equipment. It just doesn't happen!" he said.
Trump said he would hold a press conference "with the military" at the Oval Office on Monday, April 6, at 1:00 p.m., where he is expected to provide further details about the rescue operations and the broader war effort.
"God Bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS!" Trump wrote.
The rescued colonel sustained injuries during ejection from the F-15E on Friday after the aircraft was struck by Iranian fire in southwestern Iran.
He evaded capture for more than 36 hours in mountainous terrain with only a pistol for defense before being extracted by U.S. special operations forces in an operation involving hundreds of commandos, dozens of aircraft, CIA intelligence support, and airstrikes against approaching IRGC forces.
Both crew members are now safe.
The colonel was flown to Kuwait for medical treatment.
The operations also resulted in the loss of multiple U.S. aircraft, including an A-10 that was shot down while providing cover, two MC-130J transport planes, and at least one MH-6 helicopter destroyed on the ground to prevent capture, and two Black Hawk helicopters struck by Iranian fire.
Iran has claimed the rescue failed and that its forces destroyed three U.S. aircraft, comparing the operation to the disastrous 1980 hostage rescue attempt at Tabas.
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