F-15E Crash in Iran: How US Airman Survived 50 Hours and Escaped Capture

Tehran/Washington: You may recall that in April, a US Air Force F-15E fighter jet was shot down by Iranian forces. The plane crashed inside Iran, and the US launched a seemingly impossible mission to rescue its pilot. That Air Force pilot has now revealed for the first time how he evaded capture by the Iranian military for nearly 50 hours inside Iran. He told CBS that more than 90 US troops were deployed in the most difficult US military rescue operation in recent history.

The officer trapped in Iran was a weapons systems officer and was nicknamed "Dude 44 Bravo" during the mission. He was rescued on Easter Sunday. He remained wounded and hidden in the mountainous desert of Iran for two days while the Iranian army conducted a thorough search operation. During this time, he suffered a broken back and a severe shoulder injury.

After his parachute malfunctioned, he fell to the ground at a speed of approximately 70-100 miles per hour, shattering bones in his back, arm, and shoulder. Bravo publicly revealed this incident for the first time in an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes."

The United States conducted an impossible mission.

According to Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command, the rescue operation involved hundreds of airborne troops and thousands of support personnel. Cooper stated that more than 90 US troops were present on the ground in Iran. This was the first deployment of US ground troops there in 46 years. The US military also used bombers and drones to attack IRGC forces near Bravo's hideout before sending a final rescue team.

The CIA used a deception operation to deceive the Iranian military and played a key role in locating the crashed officer, using covert technology. Bravo reported being badly injured but continued to advance after landing about five miles from his pilot, identified as "Alpha."

Iranian forces were very close.

US military officials reported that Iranian ground forces were actively searching for the two airmen after the F-15E crashed. General Dan Kaine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, "The Iranian ground forces clearly intended to find the two men." "Alpha" was rescued in a risky daylight operation about six hours after the crash. According to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, helicopters engaged in rescue operations were fired upon.