An American Air Force officer whose fighter jet was shot down over Iran in April has recounted the terrifying details of his survival, including a damaged parachute and a perilous two-day evasion behind enemy lines. Speaking in an interview with CBS News program “60 Minutes” that aired on Sunday, the weapons systems officer—identified by the call sign “Bravo” for security reasons—described the dramatic ordeal during the season premiere. Bravo recalled feeling like he had been struck by a freight train when a shoulder-fired missile impacted his two-seat F-15E fighter jet on April 2. His pilot and crewmate, known as “Alpha,” initiated the ejection sequence, saving their lives. Bravo described looking up during his descent toward a rugged mountainous terrain to discover his parachute had been damaged in the attack, calling it the most terrifying moment of his life. Military experts estimate he struck the Iranian desert at speeds between 70 and 100 mph, resulting in a broken back, arm, and shoulder. Despite his severe injuries, Bravo managed to climb a 7,000-foot ridgeline to evade capture. He spent two days stranded without food or water before two elite Air Force pararescue operators executed a high-risk rescue operation to extract him. The broadcast marked the debut of a revamped “60 Minutes” following a series of recent leadership and editorial shake-ups at the network.
Source: nbcnews.com
