Air Force Officer Recalls ‘Free-Falling’ Survival After Jet Shot Down in Iran

Air Force officer describes terrifying free-fall after jet was shot down over Iran. Survivor details escape from enemy territory.

Editorial Desk

September 14, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — City, Country — A U.S. Air Force officer recounted his harrowing experience after his fighter jet was shot down over Iran in April, describing the moment he fell with a damaged parachute and the life-threatening journey that followed.

The Defense Department has not disclosed the officer’s name, but “60 Minutes” referred to him by his mission call sign, “Bravo,” due to security concerns linked to the Iranian regime. In an interview on the show’s season premiere, Bravo described being struck by a shoulder-fired missile that hit his F-15E fighter jet, causing severe damage and forcing his crewmate to eject.

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“I will be thankful to my dying day for my pilot and crewmate, Alpha, for saving our lives and ejecting us,” Bravo said. He recounted falling toward a mountainous region with a broken parachute, calling it the most terrifying moment of his life. Despite sustaining serious injuries, he managed to climb a 7,000-foot ridge and evade capture for two days before being rescued by elite Air Force pararescue operators.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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