Newly declassified videos show the moments downed Air Force officers were rescued in Iran, tell me about this news in (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/newly-declassified-videos-show-the-moments-downed-air-force-officers-were-rescued-in-iran/)
14-09-2026
According to the CBS News report, newly declassified military footage obtained by 60 Minutes details the high-risk operations to rescue two U.S. Air Force officers who were shot down over Iran and extracted two days apart.Key details from the report include:
- The Incident: Two Air Force officersreferred to by the call signs “Alpha” and “Bravo” for security reasonswere forced to eject when their fighter jet was shot down. They landed roughly five miles apart in a rugged, mountainous area south of Isfahan, while Iranian forces actively hunted them with bounties on their heads.
- Alpha’s Daylight Rescue: Declassified video captures the daytime mission launched eight hours after ejection to recover Alpha. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine explained that entering enemy airspace during daylight was exceptionally dangerous, but the immediate threat to Alpha prompted commanders to launch 21 U.S. aircraft to secure him before Iranian forces could reach his position.
- Bravo’s Extraction Two Days Later: A separate declassified infrared video shows the rescue of Bravo, the weapon systems officer, roughly 48 hours after the crash. Elite Air Force pararescuers made their way to his location, secured him, and brought him aboard an extraction helicopter.
- Survival Despite Severe Injuries: Bravo’s parachute was damaged during ejection, resulting in a severe fall that broke his back and caused multiple injuries. Despite his physical condition, he managed to hike up a 7,000-foot ridgeline to find cover and await extraction. Upon meeting the pararescuers, his immediate words were simply, “Let’s go.”