Trump praises ‘little brother’ Israel for F-15 rescue help: ‘They’ve been good partners’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has extended his gratitude to his “little brother,” Israel, for providing tactical support during a high-stakes mission to recover a downed US Air Force officer from Iranian territory.

The successful extraction, which Trump described as an “Easter miracle,” relied on a massive mobilization of American Special Operations forces and strategic assistance from the Israeli Air Force.

Trump praises Israel for aiding high-risk US rescue

President Trump lauded Israel for offering “a little bit” of help during the daring rescue of the F-15 co-pilot, who was shot down over Iran.

Speaking to Axios and The Times of Israel, Trump highlighted the cooperation of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government, noting that the alliance remains a cornerstone of regional security.

"They have been good partners. They have been great and brave people,” Trump told Axios. “We are like a big brother and little brother.”

This coordination reportedly involved the Israeli Air Force conducting a precision strike to intercept Iranian forces attempting to close in on the mountainous region where the officer was hiding.

In the wake of the rescue, Prime Minister Netanyahu released a recorded address celebrating the achievement and linking it to Israel’s own military doctrines.

“Congratulations, President Trump. All Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America's dauntless warriors,” Netanyahu stated.

Trump calls rescue an ‘Easter miracle’ by US forces

To save the Air Force officer, hundreds of US Special Operations forces were mobilized, while a complex “deception campaign” was launched by the CIA to confuse Iranian forces and buy precious time.

The mission required the construction of a temporary remote air base to allow service members to carry out the rescue deep within enemy territory.

Notably, the downed officer survived for 48 hours by utilizing specialized SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training to hide in the mountains.

Trump spoke of the success with NBC’s Kristen Welker, noting that the US military had pulled off an “Easter miracle” by bringing the crew member home.

Last-minute twist forces rescue of US rescuers

Despite the planning, the mission faced a significant hurdle that nearly compromised the extraction.

In what the New York Times called a “final twist,” three additional planes had to be stealthily and hastily dispatched to recover the rescuers and the saved weapons officer after two planes became stuck at the remote air base.

Fortunately, these complications did not result in American casualties. “He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine,” the president said on April 5. He further confirmed that no US troops were killed or hurt during the duration of the intense operation.