The American network "CBS News" has unveiled declassified footage for the first time of rescue operations involving two U.S. officers whose fighter jet crashed inside Iran. The mission enlisted over 90 special forces members.
According to the network, the officers used the call signs "Alpha" and "Bravo" and parachuted after their plane was shot down, landing in a mountainous area south of Isfahan, about 5 miles apart.
The Iranian forces were in pursuit, with rewards offered for any information leading to their location.
The U.S. forces were able to rescue "Alpha" approximately 8 hours after the crash in a daylight operation involving 21 aircraft.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Quinn, stated that conducting a rescue operation behind enemy lines during the day was fraught with risks, but the proximity of the threat to the officer compelled the forces to act before Iranian forces reached him.
As for "Bravo," a weapons systems officer, retrieval took nearly two days due to severe injuries from a damaged parachute that caused a hard landing.
According to "CBS News," the CIA used advanced technology to ascertain his location before two members of the Air Force's pararescue unit reached him and transported him to an American helicopter.
The network reported that the officer suffered from a broken back and other injuries, yet he managed to climb a mountainous region reaching nearly 7,000 feet to await rescue teams.
In his first interview post-operation, "Bravo" described seeing the rescue personnel as "one of the greatest moments of his life."