Newly declassified videos reveal the rescue of two U.S. Air Force officers after their fighter jet was downed in Iran. The footage, first obtained by 60 Minutes, shows two separate rescue operations conducted days apart.
Referred to as “Alpha” and “Bravo” for security reasons, the officers ejected from their aircraft and landed about five miles apart in the mountains south of Isfahan. Iranian forces actively searched for them with bounties on their heads.
Rescue Operation for Alpha
The rescue of Alpha took place eight hours after ejection. Declassified footage captures the high-risk daytime mission involving 21 U.S. aircraft sent into enemy territory. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine explained the urgency: “Anytime you go behind enemy lines in daylight, it’s risky. But to save 44 Alpha, daylight intervention was necessary.”
Bravo’s Harrowing Rescue
Another video, shot in infrared, depicts Bravo’s rescue roughly two days later. Two elite U.S. pararescuers reached Bravo, bringing him safely back to an American helicopter. Bravo suffered severe injuries, including a broken back, as his parachute failed and he fell from the sky. Despite these injuries, he climbed a 7,000-foot ridgeline to await rescue.
In an interview, Bravo described seeing his rescuers as “one of the greatest moments” of his life. When asked what his first words were to his rescuers, he replied, “Let’s go.”