For the First Time... US Releases Footage of Rescue of Two Pilots Inside Iran

CBS News has, for the first time, released declassified footage of the rescue of two U.S. officers whose fighter jets crashed inside Iran, in an operation involving more than 90 special forces personnel.

According to the network, the two officers used the call signs “Alpha” and “Bravo” and parachuted from their aircraft after they were shot down, landing in a mountainous area south of Isfahan, about five miles apart.

Iranian forces were searching for the two officers, with rewards reportedly offered for information leading to their whereabouts.

U.S. forces rescued “Alpha” about eight hours after his crash in a daytime operation involving 21 aircraft.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said carrying out a daytime rescue behind enemy lines was highly risky, but the approaching threat to the officer prompted U.S. forces to act before Iranian forces could reach him.

“Bravo,” a weapons systems officer, was reached about two days later after suffering serious injuries when his parachute malfunctioned and he hit the ground hard.

According to CBS News, the CIA used advanced technology to locate him before two members of an Air Force pararescue unit reached him and transported him to a U.S. helicopter.

The network reported that the officer suffered a broken back and other injuries but still managed to climb mountainous terrain reaching about 7,000 feet and wait for rescue teams.

In his first interview after the operation, “Bravo” described seeing the rescuers as “one of the greatest moments of his life.”