In this image provided by Sepahnews, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's official website, wreckage is shown at what Iran's state TV claimed was the site of a downed American transport plane and two helicopters involved in a rescue operation, in Isfahan province, Iran. (Photo: AP)
The second crew member of a US F-15E Strike Eagle shot down by Iranian fire managed to avoid capture for nearly two days by following his training, US President Donald Trump said at a press conference on Monday.
Trump said the airman was injured “quite badly” after ejecting and landed far from the pilot, in an area he described as “teeming with terrorists”.
“Despite the peril, the officer followed his training and started climbing toward a higher altitude,” Trump said.
According to the president, the airman moved through difficult mountain terrain, scaling cliff faces to stay out of reach.
Treated wounds, sent location
Trump said the serviceman treated his own injuries while in hiding and worked to establish contact with US forces.
Story continues below this ad
“He was bleeding rather profusely, but he treated his own wounds,” he said.
President Trump said the second crew member in the American F-15E fighter jet that was downed by Iranian fire on Friday was injured "quite badly" and stranded in an area "teaming with terrorists," far from the pilot's location. He said the airman followed his training and began… pic.twitter.com/GKYZhC0J3K
The airman later used a device to transmit his location to the US military.
“He contacted American forces to transmit his location… it saved his life,” Trump said.
He added that the airman remained undetected while moving to higher ground to improve the chances of recovery.
Rescue operation under fire
US forces later carried out a mission to extract the stranded airman, with Trump saying troops faced gunfire at close range.
Story continues below this ad
“We immediately mobilised a massive operation to retrieve him,” he said.
The president said the airman had evaded capture in Iran for almost 48 hours before being rescued and taken out of the country.
After the crash on Friday, official and semi-official Iranian news organisations reported that a regional governor had offered a bounty for the F-15E crew – around $60,000 (£45,360).
A US official told the Reuters news agency the plane was flying over Isfahan province when it was brought down, and the two airmen ejected separately.
After this, a senior Trump administration official said the CIA had run a deception campaign earlier, hoping to confuse Tehran by planting information that US forces had already located the missing airman and were moving him before the operation took place.
Story continues below this ad
An official told Reuters the US military then took additional steps, jamming electronics and bombing key roads around the location to prevent people from getting close.
They said the aircraft eventually sent to extract the airman and rescue forces were smaller turboprop aircraft, capable of landing on small airfields and relatively light.
The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
Share
In this image provided by Sepahnews, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's official website, wreckage is shown at what Iran's state TV claimed was the site of a downed American transport plane and two helicopters involved in a rescue operation, in Isfahan province, Iran. (Photo: AP) 
