MUST-WATCH: Air Force Hero Shot Down in Iran Speaks Out for the First Time

This is Bravo, one of the two officers shot down over Iran. Neither has spoken publicly until now.

BRAVO: I think the best way I’ve been able to describe that moment was getting hit by a freight train.

We’ve agreed to call the weapon systems officer by his mission call sign, Bravo, due to security threats from Iran.

BRAVO: We do all we can to try to save the aircraft. It was evident that that wasn’t possible. And soon thereafter, we ejected and found ourselves floating over the heart of Iran.

NORAH O’DONNELL: So within seconds, you’re ejecting? That’s how quick the decision is?

BRAVO: It is. I will be thankful, to my dying day, for my pilot and crewmate, Alpha, for saving our lives and ejecting us.

After they ejected, Alpha and Bravo found themselves 5 miles apart, separated and alone on the ground in the rugged Iranian desert. Alpha landed safely. Bravo was lucky to be alive.

BRAVO: My parachute was damaged in the initial attack. At one point when I looked up and saw no parachute, that was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen. So I paused, right then. And I prayed, “Lord, your will be done. But if I’m getting through this, I need help.”

NORAH O’DONNELL: While you’re in the air.

BRAVO: Yeah.

NORAH O’DONNELL: Is that almost like free-falling or how would you describe that?

BRAVO: Free-falling is a good way to put it. I wasn’t focused on the speed at which I was falling. I was instead focused on trying to correct the problems that were in front of me and doing anything I could to unfurl or pull pieces of the parachute loose.

We’ll never know just how fast Bravo was falling, but we do know the military trains to survive hard landings.

NORAH O’DONNELL: So how fast do you think you were going, when you hit the ground?

BRAVO: Based on my description and the injuries that I had, the professionals think I hit the ground, going somewhere between 70 and 100 mph.

NORAH O’DONNELL: How did you survive that?

BRAVO: A modern-day miracle. I believe that it’s a testament to God’s provision in my life to bring me through that moment in a way that didn’t prevent injuries, but prevented any catastrophic injuries that would have affected my ability to survive.

The fall broke Bravo’s back. He also sustained a broken arm, broken shoulder, sprained ankle and was bleeding from cuts and scrapes to his head and face.

BRAVO: I had injuries, but we all train to adapt and overcome the things that are– that we’re faced with. I moved as quickly as I could, despite the injuries, away from the place that I landed.

NORAH O’DONNELL: It’s dark, right? And can you tell me what you see around you?

BRAVO: It is dark. But much like early morning hunting trips, you know, the sun starts to come up and you can start to perceive elements of the environment around you. Iran is the size of Alaska. And in the heart of Iran, where we were,
there are high desert valleys, but also amazing craggly cliffs. And so I find myself in one of those valleys with cliffs on either side.

Bravo told us the safest place for him to go was up, so he quickly made the decision, despite his broken bones, to hike and climb up a 7,000-foot ridgeline.

NORAH O’DONNELL: Given your injuries, how did you find the strength to make it up the mountain?

BRAVO: Never let a lack of motivation put you on Iranian TV.

NORAH O’DONNELL: You were thinking that?

BRAVO: Absolutely.

Soon after the crash, an Iranian news anchor announced a bounty for the capture of the Americans.

Videos emerged on the internet of armed groups hunting for the downed crew.

BRAVO: I can tell you, for a fact, that they were looking for me.

Click to expand...

IT’S OFFICIAL: US Air Force weapons systems officer confirms the VERY FIRST message he sent back to America was “God is good” after getting stranded in Iran

Beautiful

This man abruptly landed behind Iranian territory at terrifying speed and he IMMEDIATELY sprung into…

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 14, 2026

Click to expand...

IT’S OFFICIAL: US Air Force weapons systems officer confirms the VERY FIRST message he sent back to America was “God is good” after getting stranded in Iran

Beautiful

This man abruptly landed behind Iranian territory at terrifying speed and he IMMEDIATELY sprung into action to avoid the Iranians

The patriot was there for 2 whole days while evading the enemy and awaiting backup

That’s a massive American win. Our adversaries see this and whether they admit it or not, they’re in AWE

Click to expand...