Posted by Cape Cod Daily News via Hyannis News
Sunday April 05, 2026 (4 hours, 1 minute ago)
ABOVE: A U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawk lifts off the flight deck of an aircraft carrier for a search-and-rescue mission — the exact type of daring operation President Trump described in today’s Easter morning announcement, when dozens of U.S. aircraft rescued a colonel and a pilot from deep inside Iran. Credit: U.S. Navy file photo/ HN edits…
In a stirring Easter Sunday message on Truth Social, President Donald J. Trump revealed one of the most audacious search-and-rescue missions in American military history: the successful extraction of a highly respected U.S. Colonel who had been hunted behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran. Trump hailed the operation — and a second pilot rescue the day before — as proof of overwhelming U.S. air dominance, declaring that America will never leave a warfighter behind.
President Trump shared the dramatic news directly with the American people early Easter morning, posting the full details on Truth Social:
WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. 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! 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. At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!
The President’s post underscores the high-stakes nature of the mission: the Colonel was actively being pursued in hostile terrain when U.S. forces launched dozens of armed aircraft at Trump’s direction to bring him home. A second American pilot had been rescued the previous day, but officials withheld confirmation to protect the ongoing second operation.
Both rescues were completed without a single American casualty or injury — a feat Trump attributed to unmatched U.S. air superiority over Iran. The announcement frames the twin operations as a powerful demonstration of American resolve and military excellence, calling on the nation to unite in pride regardless of political affiliation.
The message ends with a direct pledge — “WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!” — and a heartfelt Easter greeting to all Americans and U.S. troops.