As Trump hails ‘daring’ airman rescue in Iran, Chinese experts count US wins and losses
Former PLA personnel say Iran’s success in shooting down US fighter jet boosts morale and shows it retains ‘some air-defence capabilities’
The US military had “pulled off one of the most daring search and rescue operations” in its history, Trump posted on social media, adding that the rescued airman was “safe and sound” despite being “seriously wounded”.
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Trump’s fiery, foul-mouthed message threatening Iran draws criticism
Both the US and Iran raced to locate the missing air force officer after the F-15E fighter jet was brought down by Iran’s air-defence system, according to Iranian officials. Iranian state media released images of alleged debris near the southern city of Isfahan, after reports on Friday that the jet had been shot down.
The pilot of the aircraft was rescued by the US military shortly after the crash. But the weapons systems officer accompanying him remained missing.
Tehran had offered the Iranian public a reward to hand over the missing airman in an attempt to capture an American prisoner of war.
Rescuing crew from a jet downed in hostile territory – known as a combat search and rescue (CSAR) mission – ranks among the riskiest and most complex military operations.