Donald Trump has shared details of a radio message from a missing co-pilot that briefly raised fears the US could be walking into an Iranian trap.
Iranian state media reported that Iran shot down a US F-15 fighter jet on Friday (April 3) over Khuzestan Province.
According to the reports, one of the two crew members ejected and was recovered later that day by a pair of US military helicopters. The second pilot, initially unaccounted for, was located and rescued over the weekend.
Trump confirmed the recovery on Truth Social, writing: “WE GOT HIM!”
He followed up with another message, saying: “My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US 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!”
The president said the co-pilot was discovered with injuries, adding that “but he will be just fine”.
The pilot, who has not been publicly identified, was reportedly found in a mountain crevice and had only a small handgun for protection.
In an interview with Axios, Trump said ‘thousands of these savages were hunting him down’, referring to Iran’s military. He also claimed civilians were involved in the search, saying: “Even the population was looking for him. They offered people a bonus if they captured him.”
Trump said the eventual rescue was made possible by technology, citing “beeping information” that helped narrow down the pilot’s exact location.
However, he also described a moment of uncertainty after the ejection, when the missing crew member reportedly said ‘Power be to God’ over the radio.
“What he said on the radio sounded like something a Muslim would say,” Trump said to the outlet.
Officials were concerned the message could have been part of an effort by Iran to transmit “false signals” designed to draw US forces into danger.
Trump said people familiar with the pilot described him as deeply religious, suggesting the phrase was consistent with his personal beliefs.
After he was recovered, the pilot was taken to Kuwait for medical care, according to The New York Times.
Trump also issued a statement praising those involved in the operation: “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.”