US Air Force Officer Recounts Harrowing Rescue After Plane Shot Down Over Iran

A US Air Force officer identified as Bravo has detailed his experience of being shot down over Iran in April during a first interview with CBS News' 60 Minutes. Bravo described a terrifying free fall after a missile damaged his parachute, causing him to hit the ground at speeds estimated between 70 and 100 mph. The impact resulted in a broken back, shoulder, and arm. Despite these injuries, Bravo hiked to a 7,000 foot ridgeline to evade Iranian forces while awaiting rescue. He was eventually recovered after approximately 48 to 50 hours behind enemy lines.

The incident involved a two seat F-15E jet shot down by a shoulder fired missile. The other crew member, identified as Alpha, was rescued within six to eight hours in an operation described by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a gun fight from start to finish. The rescue of Bravo was a larger operation involving over 90 US service members on the ground, including elite units such as Army Delta Force and Navy SEAL Team Six, supported by CIA deception campaigns and US airstrikes to clear the area.

During the recovery effort, the US military destroyed two MC-130J transport aircraft and several Little Bird helicopters to prevent sensitive technology from falling into Iranian hands after the planes became stuck in desert sand. This operation occurred five weeks into a war between the US, Israel, and Iran. The conflict has since become increasingly unpopular in the US due to rising global energy prices.

Reporting on the interview revealed a internal dispute regarding its publication. A center-left source reported that political appointees in the Department of Defense pushed for the interview despite reservations from military officials regarding classified details. In contrast, a Pentagon spokesperson called these reports a lie, stating the decision to participate was made by the pilots alone.