U.S. Air Force officer recounts two days evading capture in Iran on 60 Minutes
A U.S. Air Force colonel who was shot down over Iran described his two-day ordeal behind enemy lines during a 60 Minutes interview.
In the season premiere of 60 Minutes, the weapon systems officer of a U.S. fighter jet that was downed over Iran recounted his experience surviving two days behind enemy lines. He described the harrowing ejection, the injuries he suffered, and the tactics he used to stay hidden from Iranian troops in rugged terrain. While the pilot was rescued within hours, the colonel remained alone until a coordinated rescue team reached him.
The interview included insights from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and U.S. Central Command head Admiral Brad Cooper about the broader rescue effort. The segment aired on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Why it matters
The account reveals the risks faced by service members and the scale of the U.S. rescue operation in Iran.
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