Shot down over Iran, hunted for 50 hours: How US fighter survived behind enemy lines

The officer, a weapons-systems officer identified by his mission call sign as 'Dude 44 Bravo', was rescued on Easter Sunday after spending two days injured and hiding in Iran’s mountainous desert, while Iranian forces searched for him. US launches massive operation to find BravoIranian forces came close to finding himF-15E was shot down during Iran strikeA US Air Force officer revealed how he survived for nearly 50 hours in Iran after his F-15E fighter jet was shot down during a strike mission in April. The rescue helicopters came under fire, according to US defence secretary Pete Hegseth.“It was a gun fight all the way in and all the way out,” Hegseth said. But if I'm getting through this, I need help. The landing gear of two rescue aircraft became stuck in the desert sand, leaving more than 90 US personnel stranded.

Source: Times of India September 14, 2026 02:12 UTC