By Gloria Ogbonna
President Donald Trump is calling the dramatic rescue of a second American airman from a downed F-15E fighter jet in Iran an “Easter miracle,” praising U.S. special operations forces for carrying out what officials described as a high-risk combat search-and-rescue mission deep inside hostile territory.
In a text message to NBC News, relayed by Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, Trump described the mission in vivid terms.
“The rescue was an Easter Miracle. The enemy was large and violent. The rescuers were brilliant, strong, decisive, and as cool as anyone can be,” Trump said.
He added that Iranian forces believed they had successfully located the second crew member, but U.S. forces acted before that could happen.
“The Iranians thought they had him, but it wasn’t even close, and remember, we got two, but couldn’t talk about the first in that it would have highlighted that there was a second,” Trump explained, suggesting operational secrecy was critical to the mission’s success.
EXCLUSIVE: President Trump reacts to the rescue of a missing U.S. airman in the downed jet, calling it an “Easter Miracle” in a text message moments ago.
"The rescue was an Easter Miracle. The enemy was large and violent. The rescuers were brilliant, strong, decisive, and as…
— Kristen Welker (@kwelkernbc) April 5, 2026
A Rare and Dangerous Operation
According to officials, the F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by Iranian forces Thursday night. The pilot was rescued shortly afterward, but the whereabouts of the weapons systems officer (WSO) remained unknown until Saturday, when U.S. personnel were able to determine his location.
By that time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was actively searching for the downed airman.
Reports indicate that U.S. air assets launched strikes to prevent Iranian forces from closing in on the WSO’s position. Meanwhile, special operations units conducted a layered ground extraction under fire, navigating mountainous terrain and intense enemy activity.
The WSO reportedly relied on Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training after ejecting from the aircraft. He moved away from the crash site, sought cover on elevated terrain, and activated an emergency beacon to signal friendly forces while avoiding capture.
Sources familiar with the mission said there was fighting on the ground during the rescue effort. However, no U.S. personnel were killed in the operation.
Trump characterized the mission as unprecedented.
“Such a rescue has never happened before in so violent an enemy territory. It is usually not done because it is considered not doable. Such a great military — Like no other. Happy Easter! President DJT,” he said in his message.
Trump Announces Oval Office Briefing
On Sunday morning, Trump elaborated further in a post on Truth Social, describing the rescue as both daring and extraordinary.
“We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran,” Trump wrote. “The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close. He is a highly respected Colonel.”
Trump emphasized that such operations are rarely attempted because of the risks involved to both personnel and equipment.
“This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to ‘man and equipment.’ It just doesn’t happen! 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!”
The president announced that he would hold a news conference with military leaders at the Oval Office at 1:00 p.m. Monday to discuss the operation in greater detail.
“God Bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he concluded.
Escalating Rhetoric Over Strait of Hormuz
Shortly after celebrating the rescue, Trump returned to a more forceful tone regarding Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.
In another post on Truth Social, he warned that Iran was running out of time to reopen the strategic waterway.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” he wrote.
The rescue mission and the president’s escalating warnings highlight the intensifying confrontation between Washington and Tehran. While Trump framed the successful extraction as a symbol of American military strength and resolve, his subsequent threats signal that broader military action could still be on the horizon if Iran does not comply with U.S. demands.
For now, the safe recovery of both F-15E crew members stands as a rare and dramatic episode in an increasingly volatile standoff.
Source Breitbart
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