For the First Time... America Reveals Footage of Two Pilots Rescued Inside Iran

U.S. network CBSnews has, for the first time, released newly declassified video footage documenting the rescue of two U.S. Air Force officers, separated by a day between operations, following the downing of their fighter jet in Iran.

The network said the officers, who were referred to during the mission by call signs "Alpha" and "Bravo" for security reasons, parachuted from their crashed fighter jet before landing in a mountainous region south of Isfahan, about five miles apart from each other.

According to the network, Iranian forces were actively searching for the officers, with financial rewards reported for information leading to their capture.

The network commented on the footage, stating: "The newly declassified clips show the moment Bravo— an injured weapons systems officer—was finally extracted by U.S. forces, specifically by two members of the Air Force's Pararescue unit."

It added that this occurred "after the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used advanced technologies to pinpoint his location. Over 90 special operations personnel participated in the successful mission to rescue the pilots whose aircraft had been shot down."

One of the aerial shots captured by a surveillance drone showed the daytime rescue of soldier Alpha, eight hours after he jumped from the fighter jet, during a mission involving 21 American aircraft.

CBSnews quoted U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine as saying that conducting a daylight rescue behind enemy lines was "high-risk," but the threat posed by "Alpha 44" prompted the decision to proceed during daylight to reach him before Iranian forces could.

The network also released another clip captured by an infrared imaging system, documenting the rescue of Bravo, the weapons systems officer, approximately two days after the fighter jet was downed.

The footage shows two U.S. Air Force parajumpers advancing toward Bravo before safely escorting him to an American helicopter.

The network stated that Bravo sustained serious injuries after jumping from the fighter jet, when his parachute was damaged and he crashed forcefully onto the ground, suffering a spinal fracture and other injuries. However, he managed to climb a mountain range nearly 7,000 feet high and waited for rescue teams.

In his first interview, Bravo said seeing the rescue team was "one of the greatest moments of his life." When asked what he said upon seeing them, he replied: "Let's go."