In Washington, message of F-15 pilot shot down over Iran was initially considered possible trap. Pilot's relat

A short radio message from an American pilot who ejected over Iran after shooting down an F-15 fighter jet was initially regarded as a potential trap in the United States.

This is reported by Axios and The Wall Street Journal.

This is about an American pilot whose plane was hit by Iranian air defenses. The crew members survived, but a rescue mission behind enemy lines was needed to pick them up.

After landing, the pilot was able to reach a height and activate an emergency beacon, transmitting a signal that he was alive.

Later, while moving through mountainous terrain, he lost and restored contact. At one point, the pilot transmitted a short message on the radio - "God is good."

Washington initially viewed the signal with suspicion, suggesting that it could be used as a trap. US President Donald Trump confirmed that such an assumption was being considered, noting that the pilot said "Thank God".

According to Axios, the military contacted the pilot's family, and they confirmed that the pilot is a religious person, so he could well have said such a phrase.

After the pilot was evacuated, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quoted this message on the social network X.

Elbit Systems reported that the pilot was using a PRC-648 radio of their production. The device continued to transmit encrypted signals after ejecting, which allowed to maintain secure communication and determine its coordinates.

On April 3, Iran shot down an American F-15 fighter jet for the first time since the beginning of the war. The crew members ejected over Iranian territory.

One of the pilots was found alive the same day, the search for the second lasted more than a day. In the end, both soldiers were evacuated. Donald Trump said that these operations took place without any deaths or injuries and called them one of the most daring search and rescue missions in US history.

Recall, the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet became the first American aircraft shot down over Iran during the five-week war. The US Armed Forces have not had aircraft shot down by enemy fire for more than 20 years - since the military aircraft was shot down during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

US President Donald Trump reported that the second crew member of the downed American F-15E fighter jet in southwestern Iran was rescued by the US military. He was injured.