An injured colonel, 90 elite soldiers, CIA’s support: What it took to rescue a US pilot from Iran
In April, a US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over Iran, marking the first such incident in American military history during the US-Iran conflict. The aircraft was carrying out a mission to strike industrial facilities related to Iran's drone and missile program. The pilot, identified as Bravo, and the backseater, Colonel Dude 44, ejected from the damaged plane but were separated during the high-velocity fall.
Bravo, who sustained severe injuries including a broken back, an arm, and a shoulder, had to climb up a cliff to escape the hostile terrain. Alpha, the other pilot, landed safely five miles away with a damaged parachute. The rescue operation involved CIA support and American helicopters, with Alpha being rescued six hours after the crash.
The F-15E, a dual-role fighter jet, was shot down by a shoulder-fired missile, which can cost around $100,000.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
