Trump details rescue of US crew downed in Iran

Key Points:

• The U.S. conducted a complex and risky rescue operation to recover two downed F-15E Strike Eagle crew members deep inside Iran, involving dozens of aircraft, hundreds of personnel, secret CIA technology, and deception tactics.
• The pilot was rescued within hours despite heavy enemy fire, while the weapons systems officer evaded capture for nearly two days by hiding in mountainous terrain and using advanced communication devices.
• The rescue mission included an A-10 Warthog attack aircraft that was heavily damaged and forced to eject, with the pilot safely rescued afterward.
• CIA Director John Ratcliffe highlighted the use of unique intelligence technology and a deception campaign to locate and extract the second airman, describing the effort as akin to "hunting for a single grain of sand in the middle of a desert."
• President Trump and senior defense officials emphasized continuous coordination and secrecy throughout the operation, with Trump revealing the involvement of hundreds of personnel and multiple aircraft despite some aides' preference for withholding specifics.