Trump hails operations that rescued US pilots downed in Iran

[0:00] It's a great honor to be with you, and happy Easter. We had a great Easter. This is one of [0:07] our better Easters, I think, in a lot of different ways. I can say militarily it's been one of the [0:13] best. So, good afternoon. We have quite a bit to discuss. We'll go into pretty good detail. [0:21] And we have the people that are most involved. We'll give you exactitude. And we're here today [0:28] to celebrate the success of one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing combat searches. [0:35] I guess you would call it a search and rescue mission ever attempted by the military. [0:41] Generally, when planes are knocked down in war, especially when you're fighting a [0:45] strong group, an evil group, you can't really do this because you send in 200 men to pick up one. [0:56] And it's something that's usually not attempted as much as you want to attempt. [1:00] And bad things happen to that one or two. [1:04] And in this case, we did, too, and might not have been attempted before. But we did. [1:09] And we got — we had great talent, but we got a little luck, too, I would say. [1:14] And we were helped by a lot of people, a lot of great people. [1:20] And it was an honor to be involved with it. It's very historic. This is a rescue that's [1:27] very historic. It'll go down in the books. Late Thursday night, an American F-15 fighter jet [1:33] went down deep inside enemy territory in Iran while, [1:38] participating in Operation Epic Fury, where we're doing unbelievably well, [1:43] well at a level that nobody's ever seen before. The entire country could be taken out in one night. [1:51] And that night might be tomorrow night. Both members of the crew ejected from the aircraft [1:57] and landed alive on Iranian soil. I immediately was asked to make a decision. I ordered the U.S. [2:07] armed forces to do whatever was necessary to bring our brave warriors back home. A risky decision. [2:14] Because we could have ended up with 100 dead as opposed to one or two. It's a hard decision to make. [2:21] But in the United States military, we leave no American behind. We don't do it. Within hours, [2:28] our armed forces deployed 21 military aircraft into hostile airspace, many flying at very low [2:34] altitude, being shot by bullets. You bring rifles into play when you're going that low, [2:41] but there are also certain advantages. And in broad daylight over Iran for seven hours, [2:48] at times facing very, very heavy enemy fire, we have a helicopter that's got a lot of bullets [2:54] in it. It's amazing. We just realized how good those weapons are, those machines are. [3:02] Nobody has the equipment that we have, and nobody has the military that we have, not even close. [3:08] We're the most powerful military anywhere in the world by far. The flight crews and [3:13] warfighters aboard those aircraft took extraordinary risks to rescue their fellow [3:20] soldiers. This first wave of search and rescue forces successfully located the pilot of the F-15. [3:27] And he was extracted from enemy territory by an HH-60 Jolly Green II helicopter, [3:34] fabulous machine, as our warriors faced gunfire at very close range. [3:41] It's amazing that, when you look at the machinery, what happened, that nobody was even injured. [3:48] Meanwhile, the second crew member, a weapons system officer, a highly respected Colonel, [3:54] a significant distance away from the pilot when you're going at those speeds even if you go out [4:00] two or three seconds later it's miles it's miles and miles away because you're going fast he was [4:08] injured quite badly and stranded in an area teeming with terrorists from the islamic revolutionary [4:14] guard corps rough group as well as besieged military militia and local authorities many [4:22] uh on top of everything else they told the communities actually with inside of iran the [4:31] people of iran they were given a tremendous incentive to find this pilot despite the peril [4:38] the officer followed his training and climbed into the treacherous mountain terrain and started [4:44] climbing toward a higher altitude something they were trained to do in order to evade capture [4:51] they want to [4:53] always go as far away from the site of the shoot down you want to go as far away because they all [5:00] head right to that site you want to be as far away as you can and he was injured and he was an [5:07] amazing amazing thing he scaled cliff faces bleeding rather profusely treated his own wounds [5:15] and contacted american forces to transmit his location they have a very sophisticated [5:24] beeper type apparatus [5:26] that is on them at all times and when they when they go out on these missions they make sure they [5:33] have lots of battery space and they're in good shape and this one worked really well amazingly [5:40] saved his life we immediately mobilized a massive operation to retrieve him from [5:46] the mountain holdout and he kept going higher and higher the mountain kept getting rougher [5:52] and rougher and really very very hard to find the second rescue mission involved 155 aircraft [6:00] including four bombers 64 fighters 48 refueling tankers 13 rescue aircraft and more [6:08] we were bringing them all over and a lot of it was subterfuge we wanted to have them think he [6:15] was in a different location because they had a vast military force out there thousands [6:20] thousands of people were looking so we wanted them to look in different areas so we were [6:26] scattered all over like we were right on top of them we had seven different locations [6:32] they were all the different kind of locations where they thought and they were very confused [6:36] they said well wait a minute they've got groups here they've got groups there it's an amazing [6:42] thing i was listening to these great people these great generals general raisin cane was amazing and [6:50] pete hegseth was amazing but i listened to the whole thing it was pretty amazing [6:55] so that all these different sites where everybody thought he was located we think we have him over [7:00] there because they have nine planes circling a little area that's 25 miles down the continent [7:00] because they have nine planes circling a little area that's 25 miles down the corner [7:04] So in a breathtaking show of skill and precision, lethality and force, America's military descended on the area, the real area, engaged the enemy, rescued the stranded officer, destroyed all threats, and exited Iranian territory while taking no casualties of any kind. [7:27] The heroic F-15 weapons system officer had evaded capture on the ground in Iran for almost 48 hours. That's a long time when you're in tough shape and when you're bleeding. It's a long time. [7:44] When we left, as you probably know, we had two large planes, old, pretty old planes. It carried a lot. We needed a lot more equipment going in than coming out, obviously, because going in, we needed to be able to scale mountains. [8:00] And we had a lot of equipment, but the sand was, it was sandy, wet sand. So we thought there may be a problem taking off because of the weight of the plane. And then we also had all the men jumping back onto the planes and they got pretty well bogged down. [8:17] And we had a contingency plan, which was unbelievable, where lighter, faster aircraft came in and they took them out. We blew up the old planes and we blew them up to smithereens because we had equipment on the planes. [8:31] And we had a lot of equipment on the planes. [8:31] And we had a lot of equipment on the planes. [8:31] that frankly we'd like to take, [8:33] but I don't think it was worthwhile [8:35] spending another four hours there taking it off. [8:37] So we didn't want anybody to have, [8:39] we have the best equipment anywhere in the world. [8:41] We didn't want anybody examining our anti-aircraft [8:46] and other equipment. [8:48] So these were large planes that were old and pretty old, [8:52] and we blew them up, [8:53] and we had faster, lighter planes come in, [8:57] and they were able to land on the sand. [8:59] We needed the bigger planes [9:00] because we had so much equipment that we needed. [9:02] We took three helicopters over there, [9:04] which were very strongly used [9:05] and couldn't have lived without them. [9:08] They performed unbelievably well. [9:11] And if you'd see it, you wouldn't believe it. [9:12] They came off the plane, and these guys had them, [9:17] the rotors were off. [9:19] They rebuilt these helicopters in less than 10 minutes, [9:24] and that was one of the more amazing things. [9:27] These are helicopters, small, unbelievably powerful, [9:33] but small, very small, [9:34] so it can get in there. [9:35] It can get into certain areas. [9:37] And they got them off the plane, [9:39] and they rebuilt all three of them [9:42] in a matter of less than, [9:44] I would say less than 10 minutes. [9:45] It's pretty amazing what the genius of these people, [9:49] who would think that? [9:50] You'd think it would take five days to build them. [9:52] And in some companies, it would take five days, [9:54] and they wouldn't do it well. [9:56] But they served us well. [9:58] As Commander-in-Chief, I never forget [10:01] the extraordinary risk taken by the warriors [10:04] that we send into battle, and the genius. [10:06] I mean, think of it. [10:07] Having a contingency of three planes waiting, [10:10] because we think the sand is so bad, [10:12] that we probably won't be able to take off, [10:15] and the planes really got bogged. [10:18] The sand was, this was not much of a runway. [10:20] This was a farm, not a runway. [10:22] It was a farm, but it did the trick. [10:25] But to have a contingency, [10:27] as opposed to having to wait two days, [10:28] can you imagine right in the middle? [10:30] This was central, this was right, [10:33] you would call it central casting [10:35] if you were doing a movie for location. [10:38] It was probably the toughest area of Iran [10:40] where we'd be sitting there. [10:42] So these planes came in, [10:43] those pilots came in so fast and so quick, [10:45] and got out of there. [10:47] Everybody got aboard and just got 15-minute intervals. [10:51] One load out, one load out, one load out. [10:56] It happened, and we were watching, [10:59] and we said, that's amazing. [11:00] In many ways, I was almost more impressed [11:04] by the contingency that we had [11:07] than the fact that, you know, [11:10] we had a runway or decent soil, [11:12] but it was an amazing thing. [11:14] But we thank God for every single one of them [11:16] and the talent. [11:18] The genius is not even talent, it's genius. [11:20] It's the whole ball game, every one of them. [11:24] If you look at what we did with Maduro, [11:26] we went into a military compound, [11:29] a massive with thousands and thousands of soldiers [11:32] within a matter of minutes. [11:34] And he lived behind iron doors. [11:36] They were steel doors, broke them down so quickly. [11:39] And within almost minutes, he was, [11:41] in the back of these planes. [11:42] It was a similar group, incredible. [11:45] We have incredibly talented people. [11:48] And if the time comes, we move heaven and earth [11:51] to bring them home safely. [11:52] We're gonna bring our people home safely. [11:55] I wanna thank every member of the U.S. Armed Forces [11:57] involved in these historic operations. [12:00] They really were historic. [12:01] It's just not something that's done. [12:03] And you'd understand it, not that they don't wanna do it, [12:06] but when you're going into areas, [12:08] when you look at these helicopters, [12:09] when you look at the amount of bullets [12:11] and everything else that they took, [12:12] When you go into these areas, [12:15] you don't come out like we came out. [12:17] God was watching us. [12:19] Well, it was the Easter. [12:22] We were in the Easter territory, I guess, [12:25] but God was watching us, amazing. [12:27] Because when you look at the machinery, [12:29] they took damage. [12:31] Tells you, first thing I said is, [12:33] these are unbelievable machines, [12:34] how they flew back and not even much of a problem. [12:39] But these two extraordinary rescues, [12:41] because it was two, and as you probably know, [12:43] we didn't talk about the first one [12:45] for an hour, and then somebody leaked something, [12:49] which we'll hopefully find that leaker. [12:50] We're looking very hard to find that leaker. [12:53] And talked about, there's somebody missing. [12:57] They basically said that we have one [13:00] and there's somebody missing. [13:01] Well, they didn't know there was somebody missing [13:03] until this leaker gave the information. [13:05] So whoever it was, we think we'll be able to find it out [13:08] because we're gonna go to the media company [13:11] that released it, and we're gonna say, [13:15] national security, give it up or go to jail. [13:18] And... [13:19] We know who, and you know who we're talking about, [13:22] because some things you can't do. [13:24] Because when they did that, all of a sudden, [13:27] the entire country of Iran knew that there was a pilot [13:31] that was somewhere on their land [13:34] that was fighting for his life. [13:37] And it also made it much more difficult for the pilots [13:41] and for the people going in to search for him. [13:44] All of a sudden, they know that there's somebody out there. [13:48] They see all these planes coming in. [13:49] It became a much more difficult operation. [13:53] Because a leaker leaked that we have one, [13:57] we've rescued one, but there's another one out there [14:00] that we're trying to get. [14:02] So actually, the country, Iran, put out a major notice, [14:08] you all saw it, offering a very big award [14:12] for anybody that captures the pilot. [14:14] So in addition to a hostile, very talented, [14:18] very good, very evil military, [14:21] we had millions of people trying to get an award. [14:25] So... [14:27] When you add that to it, [14:28] but we have to find that leaker, [14:29] because that's a sick person. [14:32] Probably didn't realize the extent of how bad it was. [14:34] I can't imagine that the person did. [14:36] But we're going to find out, it's national security. [14:39] And the person that did the story will go to jail [14:44] if he doesn't say, and that doesn't last long. [14:47] And I think everybody would understand [14:48] that they put this mission at great risk. [14:50] They put that man at great risk, [14:52] and they put the hundreds of people that went in [14:54] looking for him, because everyone now knows [14:57] that we're going in. [14:59] And over the past 37 days, [15:02] America's armed forces have carried out [15:04] more than 10,000 combat flights over Iran, unheard of, [15:09] striking more than 13,000 targets. [15:11] The F-15 we lost last week was the first manned aircraft [15:16] downed by the enemy in this entire operation, [15:19] with thousands and thousands of flights. [15:21] They got lucky, it was a lucky hit. [15:23] You know, eventually you get lucky, [15:26] but we got lucky too, because we got both of them back. [15:29] But it's a record that is unparalleled. [15:31] The history of military air operations, [15:34] nobody's ever seen anything like it. [15:36] It's such an honor to be involved with it. [15:41] We were up late at night, and then we were waiting [15:44] for those contingent planes to come in, [15:48] and we said, come on, let's go get in, [15:49] because they're waiting out on this farm [15:54] without a runway, with wet, crummy soil, sand, [16:00] mostly sand, wet sand, and it eats planes alive. [16:04] And we're waiting, and we're saying, [16:06] I hope that one can land and take off. [16:09] And they came in like magic, boom, boom, boom, [16:12] one after another, it was like genius. [16:14] I'm so impressed by that, [16:16] because we were a little concerned. [16:17] We said, boy, if they don't get in and get up fast, [16:21] we're sitting in the middle. [16:23] And that's called Iran Prime, right, General? [16:26] That's where the whole bet is, [16:29] and here we are sitting there waiting for a plane. [16:32] But they came in so fast and so hard, [16:35] and these guys knew exactly what, let's go, come on, get in, [16:38] let's go, blah. [16:40] They came one right after another, not at the same time. [16:43] They don't want to come at the same time. [16:45] They had to come right after each other. [16:46] They didn't have any room. [16:47] There was barely any room to land. [16:49] Tiny little patch of very wet earth and sand. [16:55] So I just, I'm so proud of the people [16:57] that I have standing up here with me, [16:59] and many others that worked. [17:00] I mean, so many. [17:02] Steve Witkoff's over here, he's doing fantastically, [17:05] Jared Kushner, but the people that are here, [17:08] the job they did is amazing. [17:10] And I think, [17:11] I'm going to introduce the head of the CIA, [17:14] and he is a man who, he's central casting, okay? [17:19] If we cast a movie, he's going to play the head of the CIA. [17:21] He's one of the few. [17:23] John Ratcliffe, he did a phenomenal job that night. [17:27] He did something that, I don't know if you want to talk [17:29] about it, if you want, you can. [17:30] I'm not sure he's supposed to. [17:32] I'm not going to talk about it, but he really, [17:34] the CIA was very responsible for finding this little speck. [17:37] It's like, they used an expression on one of the shows [17:40] the general was talking about. [17:42] It's like finding a needle [17:43] in a haystack, finding this pilot. [17:46] And the CIA was unbelievable. [17:48] And you may, if you can, you'll talk, [17:50] it might be classified, in which case, [17:52] I'd have to put him in jail if he talks about it. [17:55] And I don't want to put him in jail. [17:57] He doesn't deserve that. [17:58] So John, do you want to say a few words? [18:00] Thank you. [18:03] Thank you, Mr. President. [18:04] It's a privilege to be here with you today, [18:07] to share what we can about this exceptional mission, [18:11] and to recognize the ingenuity and bravery [18:14] of those who executed it, as well as the leadership, [18:17] and resolve of the president who ordered it. [18:22] One thing that has been clear to me in this role [18:23] is that the flawless military operations [18:26] that the Department of War is known for [18:29] are hostage to flawless intelligence. [18:32] We saw that in the skies over Iran [18:35] in Operation Midnight Hammer last summer. [18:37] We witnessed it in Venezuela [18:40] during Operation Absolute Resolve. [18:42] We've seen it against the cartels in the Western [18:45] hemisphere, and we're seeing it every day [18:48] in Operation Epic Fury, including this mission, [18:50] to rescue an aviator buried deep behind enemy lines. [18:56] Because it is the unique tradition of the US Armed Forces [19:01] that we leave no man or woman behind, [19:04] this was a no-fail mission. [19:06] That was the spirit in which the president put us to work, [19:10] and we were determined not to let him down [19:13] or our airmen down. [19:16] As an agency, the CIA possesses unique capabilities [19:20] that only the president can deploy. [19:23] Some of these capabilities fall [19:25] under covert action authorities, [19:27] and because covert means exactly that, [19:31] I'm not going to be able to tell you everything [19:33] that you want to know. [19:36] At the president's direction, we deployed both human assets [19:40] and exquisite technologies that no other intelligence service [19:43] in the world possesses, to a daunting challenge, [19:47] comparable to hunting for a single grain of sand [19:51] in the middle of a desert. [19:54] This was also a race against the clock, [19:56] as it was critical that we locate the downed aviator [19:59] as quickly as possible, while at the same time, [20:02] keeping our enemies misdirected. [20:06] For that reason, in addition to the human and technical assets [20:11] deployed by the president to find our airmen, [20:15] CIA executed a deception campaign to confuse the Iranians [20:19] who were desperately hunting for our airmen. [20:23] On Saturday morning, we achieved our primary objective [20:27] by finding and providing confirmation [20:30] that one of America's best and bravest was alive [20:34] and concealed in a mountain crevice, [20:36] still invisible to the enemy, but not to the CIA. [20:40] That confirmation was relayed by Secretary Hegseth [20:45] to the president, and the operation quickly moved [20:48] to the execution phase. [20:50] Following the successful exfiltration on Saturday night, [20:54] our intelligence reflects that the Iranians were embarrassed [20:58] and ultimately humiliated by the success [21:01] of this audacious rescue mission. [21:03] When the president asked me to lead the CIA, [21:08] he made it clear, get back to basics, no politics, no agendas. [21:12] Tackle the hardest problems and execute the toughest missions. [21:18] This president is about results and now that's what his CIA is about too. [21:25] The professionals at the agency and at the Department of War [21:29] deserve immense credit for their flawless execution [21:32] during this daring mission. [21:34] Their skill, creativity and courage are unmatched [21:38] on the battlefield wherever they step, [21:42] but none of that matters. [21:45] And all of that is wasted without a president with the political [21:48] courage to advance the mission. [21:49] courage to put them into action. [21:52] Mr. President, I've had the privilege of seeing you act with political courage in the [21:57] best interest of the United States up close on a daily basis, and I'm grateful that this [22:01] successful mission has given the American people a window into that as well. [22:08] The secretary and chairman will tell you that our service members' confidence is boosted [22:13] by a commander-in-chief who has their back the same way they have yours. [22:19] And I know that the confidence of CIA's officers is boosted by the knowledge that their work [22:25] is in forming a president who's not afraid to make the hardest decisions when the stakes [22:31] are highest. [22:33] And to the American people, your confidence should be boosted by knowing that the security [22:39] of the nation is in the hands of a president who's willing to take on problems that have [22:45] confounded both sides of the political aisle for nearly half a century. [22:51] It is an honor to serve under a leader who just broke the law. [22:53] And to the American people, their strong faith has proved that you can believe him when [23:01] he says, no matter what, we will leave no one behind. [23:06] We will come for you. [23:14] Thank you. [23:15] PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, Former U.S. Assistant Secretary to the U.S. and European Union [23:16] Thank you. [23:17] SEN. [23:18] I appreciate it. [23:19] Thank you. [23:20] SEN. [23:21] Well, John, thank you for the collaboration of the CIA as well, incredible and ongoing [23:22] partnership. [23:23] Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Americans, and especially the brave warriors in our armed [23:25] forces. [23:26] Over this Easter weekend, the United States military has once again prove why we possess [23:30] the greatest fighting force the world has ever known. [23:32] In two extraordinary circumstances, it appears for our nation that this is the time for [23:34] complete violence. [23:35] combat, search, and rescue operations deep inside enemy territory in Iran. [23:41] Our warriors executed missions of breathtaking skill, courage, and precision. [23:48] When our warriors are unleashed as this president has allowed them to be, they are unstoppable. [23:56] When American airmen were down behind enemy lines, our forces and our president did not hesitate. [24:01] Special operators supported by elite air crews and intelligence professionals moved swiftly [24:06] and decisively into treacherous mountain terrain under the constant threat of Iranian forces closing in. [24:13] Ultimately, it was an impotent Iranian threat. [24:17] And today, as the CIA director mentioned, Iran's military, and we know this, is embarrassed and humiliated. [24:24] And they should be. [24:26] Now, these are not routine operations. [24:28] They were high-risk, high-stakes missions conducted in the heart of enemy territory. [24:33] This was not just barely into Iran. [24:35] This was deep into Iran. [24:36] Involving coordinated strikes to suppress threats, deception tactics to protect our teams, [24:42] and full synchronization across air, ground, and special operations. [24:47] The Iranians are still asking themselves right now, how did the Americans do this? [24:53] One downed airman evaded capture for more than a day, scaling rugged ridges while hunted by the enemy. [25:00] When he was finally able to activate his emergency transponder, his first message was simple, [25:09] and it was powerful. [25:10] He sent a message, God is good. [25:15] In that moment of isolation and danger, his faith and fighting spirit shone through. [25:20] You see, shot down on a Friday, Good Friday, hidden in a cave, a crevice, all of Saturday, [25:30] and rescued on Sunday. [25:34] Flown out of Iran as the sun was rising on Easter Sunday. [25:39] A pilot reborn, all home and accounted for, a nation rejoicing. [25:45] God is good. [25:47] God is good. [25:49] Despite incoming fire and unforgiving conditions, our troops brought every American home. [25:54] No American lives were lost, we leave no man behind, and that is not luck. [26:01] It's the result of unmatched training, superior technology, an unbreakable warrior ethos, [26:06] and sheer American grit. [26:09] Our special operators, pilots, and support crews performed with near perfection under [26:15] fire. [26:16] And they were lethal. [26:18] Just ask. [26:20] I'm a soldier who dared attempt to get anywhere near that pilot before or during that mission. [26:27] Death from above. [26:30] Our troops turned a potential tragedy into a resounding demonstration of American resolve [26:34] and capability. [26:36] That's what excellence in uniform looks like. [26:40] But make no mistake about it, none of this would have been possible without the courageous [26:45] leadership and ironclad determination of President Donald J. Trump. [26:52] From the moment our airmen went down. [26:54] President Trump made it clear we will leave no one behind. [26:58] The first mission, the first of two was an audacious daylight thunder run, right up the [27:05] middle. [27:06] It was authorized in less than two hours from that pilot going down when we knew where he [27:12] was. [27:14] And it was authorized in the middle of the night. [27:16] Because anybody that's worked for this man knows he's up in the middle of the night. [27:20] Authorized immediately without hesitation, audaciously. [27:23] The second mission, as soon as we knew where that pilot was. [27:26] John was certainly helpful in that. [27:30] Also executed immediately. [27:31] You know, I looked up at my screen when the final mission was complete inside our SCIF, [27:35] our secure facility. [27:36] And we have a running VTC, a running coordination cell. [27:41] And the top of it read 45 minutes and 45 hours and 56 minutes. [27:49] For 45 hours and 56 minutes, we held that call open for coordination. [27:53] From the moment our pilots went down, our mission was unblinking. [27:58] The call never dropped. [27:59] The meeting never stopped. [28:00] The planning never ceased. [28:01] The President demanded rapid, decisive action. [28:04] He backed our military with the full weight of his resolve, refusing to let enemy propaganda [28:10] or tactical setbacks deter us. [28:11] His leadership ensured that every lethal and nonlethal resource was brought to bear, that [28:20] our forces had the authorities and the support they needed to succeed. [28:25] When the President says he has the backs of our war fighters, he means it. [28:28] And it means a great deal. [28:29] And it's a big difference. [28:30] Thank you. [28:31] Thank you. [28:32] Thank you all. [28:34] Thank you. [28:35] So President Trump has made no difference on the battlefield. [28:36] President Trump understands that peace through strength is not a slogan. [28:38] It is a doctrine that saves American lives. [28:42] His unwavering commitment to rebuilding our military and restoring the warrior spirit [28:46] has paid dividends in missions just like this one. [28:51] Under his command, America projects power with confidence and brings our people home [28:56] with victory. [28:57] And that continues today, by the way. [29:00] Per the President's direction, today will be the largest volume of strikes since day [29:03] one of this year. [29:04] Yeah. [29:04] OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHATEVER IT [29:06] TAKES TO MAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY [29:09] TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE [29:12] THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THIS [29:13] OPERATION. [29:14] TOMORROW, EVEN MORE THAN TODAY. [29:16] AND THEN IRAN HAS A CHOICE. [29:18] CHOOSE WISELY BECAUSE THIS [29:20] PRESIDENT DOES NOT PLAY AROUND. [29:23] YOU CAN ASK SOLEMANI, YOU CAN [29:25] ASK MADURO, YOU CAN ASK KAMENI. [29:27] TO THOSE HEROES WHO PLANNED AND [29:29] EXECUTED THESE RESCUES, YOUR [29:30] NATION STANDS IN AWE. [29:31] I STAND IN AWE. [29:32] THE CHAIRMAN STANDS IN AWE. [29:35] WE ALL STAND IN AWE OF YOUR [29:37] RESPONSIBILITY. [29:38] WE ALL STAND IN AWE OF YOUR [29:40] RESPONSIBILITY. [29:41] TO THE RESCUED AIRMEN AND THEIR [29:43] FAMILIES, WELCOME HOME. [29:44] YOUR COURAGE AND ENDURANCE, THE [29:47] QUIET DECLARATION OF FAITH AMID [29:49] THE STORM INSPIRES US ALL. [29:52] GOD IS GOOD EVERY DAY. [29:54] AND TO OUR ADVERSARIES WATCHING [29:56] FROM TEHRAN, LET THIS BE A CLEAR [29:59] MESSAGE. [30:00] THE UNITED STATES MILITARY WILL [30:02] GO ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME TO [30:05] PROTECT OUR OWN AND COMPLETE THE [30:07] MISSION. [30:08] WE EXECUTE WITH PRECISION. [30:10] WE CONTROL THE SKY. [30:11] WE CONTROL THE SKY. [30:12] WE CONTROL THE SKY. [30:14] WE FLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE [30:16] NIGHT IN DAYLIGHT OVER IRAN TO [30:18] GET THE FIRST PILOT. [30:20] AND WE FLEW SEVEN HOURS IN THE [30:22] MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO GET THE [30:25] SECOND. [30:26] AND IRAN DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. [30:28] WE FIGHT WITH HONOR. [30:29] AND UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S [30:30] LEADERSHIP, WE WIN. [30:31] SO GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS. [30:33] GOD BLESS PRESIDENT TRUMP. [30:37] AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES [30:38] OF AMERICA. [30:39] THANK YOU. [30:40] WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON, [30:41] EVERYONE. [30:42] THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. [30:43] THANK YOU, MR. SECRETARY. [30:45] I WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT [30:46] OF DETAILS IN THESE BRIEFINGS. [30:48] WE WILL SHARE WHAT WE CAN, BUT I [30:50] WILL RETAIN WHAT I MUST IN THE [30:52] EVENT THAT WE HAVE TO GO DO THIS [30:54] AGAIN SOMETIME. [30:55] AND I CANNOT STRESS THE [30:57] IMPORTANCE, AS THE PRESIDENT [30:59] SAID, AROUND OPERATIONAL [31:00] SECURITY. [31:01] THE SECRETARY AND I WILL DO A [31:03] MORE DETAILED BRIEFING TOMORROW [31:04] MORNING, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO [31:06] SHARING THE DETAILS THAT WE CAN. [31:09] ON THURSDAY 2 APRIL AT 10 P.M. [31:11] EASTERN TIME, 4.40 IN THE [31:13] MORNING, LOCAL IRAN TIME, THE [31:15] U.S. AIR FORCE F-15E STRIKE [31:17] EAGLE, WHICH WAS DOWN IN HOSTILE [31:19] IRANIAN TERRITORY, DECLARED AN [31:21] ISOLATED PERSONNEL RECOVERY [31:23] EVENT FOR A U.S. AIR FORCE F-15E [31:26] STRIKE EAGLE, CALL SIGN DUDE 4-4, [31:28] WHICH WAS DOWN IN HOSTILE [31:30] IRANIAN TERRITORY. [31:31] THE PILOT AND WEAPONS SYSTEM [31:33] OFFICER HAD BOTH SAFELY EJECTED [31:35] AND WERE ISOLATED BEHIND ENEMY [31:37] LINES. [31:38] FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION OF ACTIVE [31:40] RESCUE BEACONS AND ON THE [31:42] DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY AND BY [31:44] ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT, A RESCUE [31:45] SYSTEM WAS LAUNCHED WITH THE [31:47] STATED PURPOSE OF BRINGING BOTH [31:49] AMERICANS HOME SAFELY. [31:51] AS THE SECRETARY SAID SEVERAL [31:53] HOURS LATER ON THE MORNING, [31:55] AFTER POSITIVELY LOCATING THE [31:57] FRONT SEATER, CALL SIGN DUDE 4-4 [31:59] ALPHA, AND AWARE OF AN [32:01] AGGRESSIVE ONGOING SEARCH BY THE [32:03] ENEMY, A U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND [32:05] PLAN WAS APPROVED BY THE [32:07] SECRETARY AND THE PRESIDENT. [32:10] SHORTLY THEREAFTER, A U.S. AIR [32:12] FORCE COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE [32:15] TASK FORCE COMPRISED OF A-10 [32:16] HARDHOG IN THEIR SANDY ROLE, [32:18] AND I'LL DESCRIBE WHAT THAT IS [32:20] IN A MINUTE. [32:22] HC-130 COMBAT KING II, HH60 [32:24] JOLLY GREEN II HELICOPTERS, AND [32:26] AIR FORCE SPECIAL WARFARE [32:28] AIRMEN, A PACKAGE COMPRISED OF [32:30] COMBAT RESCUE OFFICERS AND [32:32] PARA RESCUEMENT OPERATORS, [32:34] AUDACIOUSLY PENETRATED ENEMY [32:36] TERRITORY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT TO [32:39] FIND, FIX AND RECOVER DUDE 4-4 [32:42] ALPHA FROM BEHIND ENEMY LINES. [32:44] THIS WAS A PART OF THE [32:45] PARTICULAR RECOVERY BY THE [32:47] U.S. ARMY. [32:48] IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS [32:51] MISSION. [32:53] AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS [32:55] UNDERTAKING. [32:56] BUT A FILLED PROMISE MADE TO [32:59] EVERY AMERICAN WARFIGHTER THAT [33:01] YOU WILL NOT BE LEFT BEHIND. [33:03] WE WILL ALWAYS COME FIND YOU. [33:05] AND WE WILL ALWAYS BRING YOU [33:06] HOME. [33:07] OVER THE NEXT HOURS, THE SEARCH [33:09] AND RESCUE TASK FORCE CROSSED [33:11] THE BEACH, ENTERED INTO [33:13] IRANIAN AIR SPACE, PROTECTED BY [33:16] A FIGHTER STRIKE PACKAGE, AND [33:17] PUSHED THEM AWAY INTO THE [33:18] OBJECTIVE AREA, ALL UNDER FIRE. [33:21] IN ROUTE, AS SOME OF YOU HAVE [33:23] SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE [33:25] HELICOPTERS TOOK GAS OFF THE [33:27] C-130s AND PRESSED ONWARD AND [33:29] FORWARD UP INTO THE OBJECTIVE [33:30] AREA. [33:31] WHILE THIS WAS ONGOING AND OUT [33:33] IN FRONT OF THEM, THE SANDY [33:35] FLIGHT OF A-10s AND OTHER [33:37] REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT, [33:39] DRONES, AND OTHER TACTICAL [33:41] AIRCRAFT WERE VIOLENTLY [33:42] SUPPRESSING AND ENGAGING THE [33:44] ENEMY IN A CLOSE-IN GUNFIGHT TO [33:46] KEEP THEM AWAY FROM THE FRONT [33:47] AND ALLOW THE PICKUP FORCE TO [33:49] GET INTO THE OBJECTIVE AREA. [33:51] DURING THIS ENGAGEMENT, ONE OF [33:53] THE SANDY AIRCRAFT, THE ONE [33:55] PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR [33:57] COMMUNICATING WITH THE DOWNED [33:59] PILOT, WAS HIT BY ENEMY FIRE. [34:01] THIS PILOT CONTINUED TO FIGHT, [34:04] CONTINUED THE MISSION, AND THEN [34:06] UPON EXIT, FLEW HIS AIRCRAFT [34:08] INTO ANOTHER COUNTRY AND [34:10] DETERMINED THAT THE AIRPLANE [34:12] WAS NOT LANDABLE. [34:13] THIS WAS ONE OF OUR A-10 SANDY [34:15] AIRCRAFT. [34:16] THE PILOT THEN MADE THE DECISION [34:18] TO EJECT OVER FRIENDLY [34:20] TERRITORY AND WAS QUICKLY AND [34:22] SAFELY RECOVERED AND IS DOING [34:24] FINE. [34:26] AFTER PICKING UP DUDE 4-4 [34:28] ALPHA, THE HH-60 JOLLY GREEN [34:31] FIGHT WAS ENGAGED BY EVERY [34:33] SINGLE PERSON IN IRAN WHO HAD A [34:35] SMALL ARMS WEAPON. [34:37] AND ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE [34:39] TRAILING AIRCRAFT, TOOK SEVERAL [34:41] HITS. [34:42] THE CREW SUSTAINED MINOR INJURY [34:43] AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE FINE. [34:45] A NOTE FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DO [34:47] NOT KNOW WHAT A SANDY DOES. [34:49] NAMED AFTER THE FLIGHT CALL [34:51] SIGN THAT DID THIS VERY MISSION [34:53] IN VIETNAM FLYING A-1 SKY [34:55] RAIDERS AND A-7 CORSAIRS. [34:57] A SANDY HAS ONE MISSION. [34:59] GET TO THE SURVIVOR. [35:02] BRING THE RESCUE FORCE FORWARD. [35:04] AND PUT THEMSELVES BETWEEN THAT [35:06] SURVIVOR ON THE GROUND AND THE [35:08] ENEMY. [35:09] THEY ARE COMMITTED TO THIS. [35:11] THIS IS WHAT THEY LIVE FOR. [35:13] AND THIS IS WHAT THEY'VE [35:15] TRAINED FOR OVER MANY, MANY [35:17] YEARS. [35:18] THANK YOU. [35:19] THANK YOU. [35:20] THANK YOU. [35:21] YOU WILL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT [35:24] V شEN TRأن INaisO breathe [35:26] EVIL STORIES TIME AFTERTIME. [35:28] THE A10 FORCE AND THE RESCUE [35:31] FORCE DID A FANTASTIC JOB [35:34] RECUITING DUDE 44AL нашего [35:35] HE WAS RECOVERED FRIDAY [35:36] AFTERNOON. [35:38] AS I SAID, AND THE NATION NEEDS [35:40] TO KNOW THIS. [35:42] THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY BRAVE [35:44] AND COURAGEOUS MISSION. [35:48] AND A TESTAMENT TO THE COURAGE, [35:50] SKILL, AND TENACITY OF THE JOINT [35:51] THE BACK SEATER WAS A [35:52] PROBLEM. [35:53] THE FACT THAT THE PRESIDENT [35:56] HAD TRIED MEANS SO MUCH TO SO [35:58] MANY. [35:58] MEANWHILE, THE BACK SEATER, AS [36:00] THE PRESIDENT AND THE SECRETARY [36:03] HAVE SAID, HAD CONTINUED TO WORK [36:05] AND SURVIVE. [36:06] THROUGH THE HOURS OF DAYLIGHT, [36:09] DUDE 44 BRAVO, THE BACK SEATER, [36:11] EVADED USING EVERY MEANS [36:13] AVAILABLE, THE EFFORTS OF THE [36:15] UNITED STATES MILITARY, THE [36:16] CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY AND [36:18] OTHERS WERE ATTEMPTING TO FIND [36:21] A WAY TO RECOVER FROM THE [36:23] BACK SEATER. [36:24] A NOTE ON THE BACK SEATER AND [36:27] THE FRONT SEATER. [36:29] THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT [36:32] CONTRIBUTOR TO A SUCCESSFUL [36:34] RESCUE OPERATION IS THE SPIRIT [36:36] OF ATTACK INSIDE THE HEART OF [36:38] THAT DOWNED AVIATOR. [36:40] THEIR WILL TO SURVIVE, THEIR [36:42] WILL TO EVADE, THEIR WILL TO [36:44] RECOVER IS EVERYTHING. [36:46] IN THIS CASE, THE BACK SEATER'S [36:48] ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT TO SURVIVING [36:50] MADE MUCH OF OUR EFFORTS [36:52] IMPOSSIBLE. [36:53] THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED [36:54] STATES SAID HE WAS INJURED AND [36:56] ACTIVELY EVADING ENEMY FORCES. [36:58] AND THANKS TO OUR INTERAGENCY [37:00] PARTNERS, WE WERE ABLE TO GET [37:02] EYES ON HIS LOCATION AND [37:04] POSITIVELY I.D. HIM. [37:06] THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE TIME, THE [37:08] ENEMY FORCE CONTINUED TO SEARCH [37:10] FOR 4-4 BRAVO AND THE JOINT [37:12] FORCE CONTINUED TO STRIKE THEM [37:14] OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. [37:16] FIGHTING OFF MARGINAL WEAPONS [37:18] IN THE BACK SEATER, THE [37:20] PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES [37:22] SAID HE WAS INJURED AND ACTIVELY [37:24] EVADING ENEMY FORCES. [37:26] FIGHTING OFF MARGINAL WEATHER IN [37:28] IRAN AND THE ENEMY'S SEARCH FOR [37:30] A SECOND TIME ON SATURDAY, AT [37:32] THE RECOMMENDATION THE CENTCOM [37:34] COMMANDER AND AT THE APPROVAL OF [37:36] THE SECRETARY AND THE PRESIDENT, [37:38] WE LAUNCHED A RESCUE TASK FORCE [37:40] TO RECOVER DUDE 4-4 BRAVO. [37:42] AGAIN, THIS CAME TO THE [37:44] PRESIDENT AND THE SECRETARY FOR [37:46] APPROVAL. [37:47] THIS TIME WITH A MUCH LARGER [37:49] FORCE PACKAGE BASED ON THE TIME [37:51] THAT THE ENEMY HAD TO PREPARE TO [37:52] EXECUTE THE PLAN, THE [37:54] PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES [37:56] SAID HE WAS INJURED BY A-10 [37:58] WARTHOGS USING THE SANDY CALL [38:01] SIGN AND THIS FORCE HAD ONE [38:03] SINGLE MISSION, DO EVERYTHING [38:05] THEY CAN TO BRING AN AMERICAN [38:07] HOME. [38:08] THIS MEANT HAVING A PLAN, BEING [38:10] PREPARED TO EXECUTE THAT PLAN [38:13] AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, BEING [38:16] PREPARED FOR MULTIPLE [38:18] SIMULTANEOUS CONTINGENCIES AND [38:20] BECAUSE OF THIS FORCE'S [38:22] PROFESSIONALISM, GRIT AND [38:23] STRENGTH, THE ENEMY SEARCHING [38:25] FOR 4-4 BRAVO AND CONTINGENCIES [38:27] WHICH ANYONE WHO HAS DONE THESE [38:29] TYPES OF MISSIONS KNOWS WE RUN [38:31] INTO EVERY SINGLE TIME. [38:33] THE FORCE FOUGHT OFF BOTH OF [38:35] THOSE ENEMIES INCREDIBLY WELL. [38:37] DURING THE PERIOD OF DARKNESS ON [38:40] SATURDAY AND AS THE SECRETARY [38:42] SAID INTO EASTER SUNDAY AND INTO [38:44] THE DAYLIGHT, THE FORCE FOUGHT [38:46] ITS WAY IN AND RESCUED DUDE 4-4 [38:49] BRAVO. [38:50] THEY WERE PROTECTED OVERHEAD BY [38:53] AN AIR ARMADA INCLUDING TACTICAL [38:55] DRONES, STRIKE AIRCRAFT AND [38:57] OTHERS. [38:58] THE FORCE FOUGHT THROUGH [39:00] MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUS [39:02] CONTINGENCIES, SOMETHING NO [39:04] OTHER NATION, NO OTHER MILITARY [39:06] CAN DO. [39:07] AND SAFELY RETURNED DUDE 4-4 [39:11] BRAVO, THE BACK SEATER HOME AND [39:13] ALL OTHER AMERICANS HOME AS [39:16] WELL. [39:17] AT MIDNIGHT 12 LOCAL EASTERN [39:19] TIME, EASTER SUNDAY, MORE THAN [39:22] 50 HOURS AFTER THE END OF THE [39:24] WAR. [39:25] AFTER THE START OF THIS [39:27] OPERATION, THE JOINT PERSONNEL [39:30] RECOVERY CENTER DECLARED DUDE 4-4 [39:33] BRAVO BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK [39:35] SEATER RETURNED TO FRIENDLY [39:37] TERRITORY. [39:39] THE COURAGE DEMONSTRATED BY BOTH [39:41] THE PILOT AND THE WEAPONS SYSTEM [39:43] OFFICER WHILE ISOLATED AND THEM [39:45] INVADING THE ENEMY CANNOT BE [39:47] OVERSTATED. [39:48] THEIR GRIT AND WAR FIGHTING [39:50] TENACITY IS A DIRECT RESULT OF [39:52] THE ABSOLUTE TRUST THEY HAVE IN [39:54] OUR RESCUE FORCES, THEIR [39:56] TRAINING, AND THEIR WILL TO [39:58] SURVIVE AND RETURN. [39:59] THEY ALWAYS KNEW THAT WE WOULD [40:01] BE ORDERED TO GO GET THEM, AND [40:03] THEY ALWAYS KNEW THAT WE WOULD [40:05] BE COMING TO GET THEM. [40:08] THESE TWO OPERATIONS REFLECT OUR [40:10] NATION'S MOST SACRED OBLIGATION [40:12] TO OUR MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS. [40:14] WE LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND. [40:16] BLESS YOU. [40:17] IT ALSO PERFECTLY CAPTURES THE [40:20] FIRST TRUTH OF OUR SPECIAL [40:22] OPERATIONS FORCES, THAT PEOPLE [40:24] ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN [40:26] HARDWARE. [40:27] THEIR ACTIONS WERE A DIRECT [40:29] EMBODYMENT OF THAT COMMITMENT [40:31] TO OTHERS, AND I COULD NOT BE [40:33] MORE PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY [40:35] ONE OF THEM TODAY. [40:37] AS THE SECRETARY SAID TO OUR [40:39] ENEMIES, THIS OPERATION SERVES [40:42] AS A CLEAR REMINDER OF THE [40:44] CAPABILITIES OF OUR MILITARY [40:46] SERVICE MEMBERS. [40:47] THAT IS THE STANDARD WE LIVE BY, [40:49] AND THE RESCUE FORCES THAT [40:51] EXECUTE THESE MISSIONS OPERATE [40:53] UNDER A CLEAR MOTTO, THESE [40:55] THINGS WE DO THAT OTHERS MAY [40:57] NOT. [40:58] I AM PROUD OF THE CAPABILITY AND [41:01] WILL OF AMERICA'S JOINT FORCE. [41:03] THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA [41:05] WILL RECOVER OUR WARFIGHTERS [41:07] ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD UNDER ANY [41:09] CONDITIONS WHEN WE WANT TO. [41:11] WE WILL ALWAYS BRING [41:14] OVERWHELMING SKILL AND FIRE [41:15] POWER. [41:16] TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE JOINT [41:18] FORCE, OUR INTERAGENCY PARTNERS, [41:20] THE LEADERSHIP AT CENTCOM, AND [41:22] OUR LEADERS AT THE DEPARTMENT [41:23] AND ABOVE, THANK YOU. [41:25] I'M PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE [41:27] OF YOU. [41:28] I WANT TO THANK YOU. [41:30] I WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY AND [41:33] THEIR FAMILIES. [41:34] AND LASTLY, AND MOST [41:36] IMPORTANTLY, TO DUDE 4-4, [41:43] WELCOME HOME. [41:44] JOB WELL DONE. [41:45] THANK YOU. [41:47] PRETTY AMAZING. [41:48] PRETTY AMAZING. [41:50] AND THESE TWO GENTLEMEN HAVE [41:52] BEEN FROM DAY ONE, THEY HAVE [41:55] BEEN PERFECTO. [41:56] I GOT TO KNOW GENERAL KANE IN [41:58] MY FIRST TERM BECAUSE HE WAS [42:00] ABLE TO TAKE OUT ISIS IN FOUR [42:02] WEEKS INSTEAD OF THE FOUR-YEAR [42:04] EQUIPMENT. [42:05] HE WAS ABLE TO TAKE OUT ISIS [42:06] IN FOUR WEEKS INSTEAD OF THE [42:07] FOUR-YEAR EQUIPMENT. [42:09] HE WAS ABLE TO TAKE OUT ISIS [42:10] AGAIN. [42:11] THAT'S GOING TO BE THE HEAD OF [42:12] MY JOINT CHIEF OF STAFF. [42:13] AND WE WORKED IT THAT WAY, [42:14] DIDN'T WE? [42:15] IT'S AMAZING. [42:16] HE TOOK OUT ISIS. [42:17] WE DEFEATED ISIS IN FOUR WEEKS. [42:19] I WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE FOUR [42:20] YEARS. [42:21] I FLEW TO IRAQ TO FIND OUT [42:23] WITH THE GREATEST EQUIPMENT IN [42:25] THE WORLD WHY WOULD IT TAKE [42:27] FOUR YEARS. [42:28] AND HE TOLD ME, SIR, IT WON'T. [42:30] THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. [42:32] SO HE'S GREAT. [42:33] AND, PETE, ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT [42:35] HE WAS TREATED VERY UNFAIRLY. [42:38] AND NOW THOSE SAME PEOPLE THAT [42:39] TREATED HIM UNFAIRLY THAT FOUGHT [42:41] AGAINST HIM, THEY CALL ME UP [42:42] SAYING, WHAT A GREAT CHOICE HE [42:43] WAS. [42:44] THEY SAY, WELL, WHAT HAPPENED [42:46] DURING HIS NOMINATION? [42:47] WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? [42:48] I'M TELLING YOU, PEOPLE THAT [42:50] WERE NOT FOR HIM, SENATORS, [42:52] FRIENDS OF MINE, SIR, I DON'T [42:53] THINK YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT [42:54] THING. [42:55] NOW THEY'RE CALLING ME UP, WHAT [42:56] A CHOICE. [42:57] THESE TWO GUYS ARE FANTASTIC. [43:02] AND JOHN RATCLIFFE WAS [43:03] INCREDIBLE. [43:04] IT WAS ACTUALLY THEIR GENIUS [43:05] THAT... [43:06] THAT'S PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP [43:08] THERE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE [43:11] DETAILING THE RESCUE EFFORTS FOR [43:13] THE DOWNED PILOTS IN IRAN.