Washington: Newly declassified footage has revealed details of a high-risk US military rescue operation after an American F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, leaving one pilot stranded behind enemy lines for nearly two days.
The footage shows how US forces searched for and rescued the airman, identified by the call sign DUDE 44 Bravo, after his aircraft was hit during a mission near Isfahan in April. The operation involved special forces, intelligence support and a large-scale military effort to locate him.
F-15E Shot Down Near Isfahan
According to US officials, the F-15E Strike Eagle carrying two Air Force officers was hit by an Iranian missile near the mountainous region south of Isfahan.
Both crew members ejected from the aircraft and landed several miles apart. The pilot, known by the call sign Alpha, was rescued within hours, but Bravo remained missing as search teams struggled to locate him.
Pilot Survived Crash And Hid For 50 Hours
Bravo faced a dangerous situation after ejecting from the damaged aircraft.
According to his account, the missile strike damaged his parachute, causing a dangerous fall before he reached the ground with serious injuries. He suffered injuries including damage to his back, arm and shoulder.
Despite being injured, Bravo moved away from the crash site and hid in the mountainous terrain while Iranian forces searched the area.
US officials said the search continued for nearly 50 hours before rescue teams reached him.
CIA, Special Forces Helped Locate Pilot
The rescue operation involved coordination between multiple US agencies.
Officials said intelligence teams, including the CIA, helped track Bravo's location and used deception methods to confuse opposing forces searching for him.
More than 90 US service members were involved in the ground rescue operation, while additional personnel supported the mission from the air and elsewhere.
Dramatic Rescue Mission Captured On Camera
The newly released footage shows US forces moving into the area to extract the stranded airman.
The rescue team used helicopters to reach the mountainous location where Bravo was hiding. The operation was carried out under intense security concerns as officials said Iranian forces were active in the region.
The footage also shows the scale of preparation involved in bringing the pilot back safely.
Pilot Recalls Terrifying Moments
Speaking about the incident, Bravo described the moment when he realized his parachute had failed as one of the most frightening experiences of his life.
He said surviving the fall and remaining hidden for two days required determination and training.
After rescuers finally reached him, he reportedly gave them a simple message: “Let's go.”
Rescue Highlights US Military Recovery Mission
The release of the footage has brought renewed attention to the risks involved in recovering military personnel from hostile territory.
The US military has described the operation as an example of its policy of recovering personnel left behind during combat missions.
The incident remains one of the most detailed publicly revealed US rescue operations involving a downed fighter aircraft in recent years.