We (the United States Military under my direction) rescued a U.S. crew member, a colonel, who was behind enemy lines in Iran and he is now safe and sound.
Evidence and Verdict
For
Multiple news items report that former President Trump posted that U.S. forces retrieved a downed airman and that the service member is “safe and sound.” NPR’s headline and article text note Trump’s statement that the U.S. military rescued the airman, and CNN articles and live updates quote Trump’s message “WE GOT HIM!” announcing the rescue of a missing F-15 crew member who he described as a colonel.
Against
The cited pieces primarily attribute the rescue claim to Trump’s posts and quotes rather than providing independent confirmation of the operation or of the rescued person’s rank and status. CNN’s “What we do and don't know” coverage and other live reporting emphasize uncertainties about the operation and ongoing searches for additional crew, indicating key details remained unverified in the reporting cited here.
Verdict
The available sources clearly document that Trump announced the rescue and described the individual as a colonel now “safe and sound,” but the reporting in these sources attributes the claim to him and highlights unresolved details, so the claim is partly supported (reported) but not independently confirmed in the provided coverage.
Sources
Trump says U.S. military has rescued airman shot down over Iran
Trump says U.S. military has rescued airman shot down over Iran - Apr 5, 2026
"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," Trump said on Truth Social.
Open sourceLive updates: Iran war news; US forces rescue missing F-15 crew ...
Live updates: Iran war news; US forces rescue missing F-15 crew ... - Apr 5, 2026
By Tim Lister
Open sourceMissing service member rescued by US forces after jet downed in ...
Missing service member rescued by US forces after jet downed in ... - Apr 5, 2026
“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 C...
Open sourceUS forces rescue missing F-15 crew member, Trump says | CNN
US forces rescue missing F-15 crew member, Trump says | CNN - Apr 5, 2026
By Tim Lister
Open sourceWhat we do and don't know about the operation to rescue the US ...
What we do and don't know about the operation to rescue the US ... - Apr 5, 2026
## What do we know?
Open sourceUS forces rescue missing F-15 crew member, Trump says | CNN
US forces rescue missing F-15 crew member, Trump says | CNN - Apr 5, 2026
Chris Lau
Open source