Donald Trump said a second pilot from an aircraft shot down over Iran had been rescued, declaring that the U.S. military had carried out “one of the most daring search-and-rescue operations in American history.” According to him, the officer had been “in the mountains of Iran behind enemy lines” and was evacuated despite his injuries—“he will be fine.”
Trump added that the first pilot had been rescued earlier, but that information was withheld so as not to jeopardize the second operation. He also stressed that both missions were completed without any U.S. casualties.
Iran, for its part, says it shot down an American helicopter during the attempt to evacuate the first pilot—an account that had earlier been corroborated by U.S. media reports.
CBS News reports that during the operation, U.S. forces had to destroy two aircraft (video) to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. The aircraft in question were transport planes involved in the mission that were unable to leave the temporary landing site and were destroyed on the spot.
The remainder of the operation, according to media reports, was backed by airstrikes and the use of drones for cover.
Reuters reports that the pilot hid in the mountains for nearly two days and was evacuated at night. According to that account, MQ Reaper drones struck Iranian search teams as they approached his hiding place.