US officer at heart of daring rescue inside Iran describes 'miracle' escape
Dude 44 Bravo was part of the two-man crew shot down over Iran, which prompted one of the largest and most complex rescue operations in US military history.
In April, Iran shot down a US jet, leaving an unnamed US weapons systems officer stranded in enemy territory for over 50 hours. Known as Dude 44 Bravo, the pilot was rescued quickly, but Bravo endured a perilous journey. Stranded and badly injured, he scaled mountain ridges, battling dehydration and severe wounds, including a broken back, arm, and shoulder.
In a 60 Minutes interview, Bravo described his miraculous escape, crediting God for his survival. After a day of evasion, he ejected from his damaged plane and plummeted at speeds of 70-100 mph, sustaining injuries but surviving. His pilot, codenamed Alpha, was not found. Bravo scaled a 7,000-foot ridge to evade capture, as Iranian authorities had already placed a bounty on both their heads.
The 60 Minutes interview was seen by the Pentagon as an opportunity to shape the narrative around the unpopular Iran war. US forces launched strikes on Iranian forces, with 92 personnel becoming the first US boots on Iranian soil in 46 years. Bravo was located using CIA technology and rescued by elite para-rescue service members after 50 hours of isolation.
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