Injured Colonel and 90 Elite Soldiers Rescue US Pilot From Iran
· World · Indian Express, Times of India
Five months after a US fighter jet was shot down over Iran, a US Air Force officer has recounted the details of his rescue two days after the crash. The F-15E Strike Eagle was flying near Isfahan on the night of April 2 when a shoulder-fired missile brought it down, marking the first time a manned US aircraft had been shot down over Iran during the conflict. The pilot, with the call sign Dude 44 and identified as Bravo, recalled entering a free fall at 112 kmph to 160 kmph with a damaged parachute after ejecting. Bravo sustained a broken back, arm, and shoulder upon hitting the ground, while his co-pilot, Alpha, was rescued in a daytime helicopter operation six hours after the crash. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, noted that the rescue involved 90 elite soldiers, an injured colonel, and support from the CIA.
Why it matters
The incident marks a rare direct military engagement and rescue operation involving US forces inside Iranian territory, carrying significant strategic implications for Middle East security.
Read the original report — Indian Express
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.