'A modern-day miracle': US airman shot down over Iran recounts survival, rescue on 60 Minutes

A US airman, identified by his callsign 'Bravo,' recounted his survival and rescue after his F-15 was shot down over Iran on April 3, as detailed on CBS's 60 Minutes. Bravo described the violent impact of the Iranian weapon, a failed parachute, and a hard landing that left him with a broken back, arm, and shoulder. Despite severe injuries and an Iranian manhunt, he evaded capture and navigated a mountain range to establish communication for rescue. He called his survival a "modern-day miracle" and expressed immense gratitude for the pararescue specialists, stating, "The moment a PJ showed up to me on that ridgeline was one of the greatest moments of my life." The rescue was part of one of the largest search-and-rescue operations in US military history, with Bravo emphasizing it as a testament to American commitment to leave no one behind.