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Flight shot down, parachute failed: How US colonel survived 50 hours in Iran, sent first message

When the US jet was shot down by a shoulder-fired missile from Iran, both Alpha and Dude 44 Bravo, ejected and landed in a mountainous region of Iran’s desert.

Flight shot down, parachute failed: How US colonel survived 50 hours in Iran, sent first message

A US colonel, who was shot down by a missile from Iran in April, survived 50 hours in enemy territory before being rescued. After the $30 million F-15E fighter jet was hit, he and his pilot ejected and landed in a mountainous region of Iran. However, his parachute failed on impact, breaking his back, an arm and a shoulder. Despite being injured, the colonel, known as Dude 44 Bravo, managed to move away from his landing spot and used his survival skills to endure the harsh conditions.

He hid in a mountain crevice with a pistol for protection and used his locator beacon sparingly. After 50 hours, American forces launched a rescue mission, which included over 90 US service members on the ground and several thousand in air support. Bravo was rescued on Easter Sunday, praising the teamwork, training, faith, and leadership that made his survival possible.

Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times - World News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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