{"id":2661042,"date":"2026-09-14T16:00:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T20:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/air-force-officer-shot-down-over-iran-tells-60-minutes-prayer-got-him-through-harrowing-ordeal\/"},"modified":"2026-09-14T16:06:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T20:06:19","slug":"air-force-officer-shot-down-over-iran-tells-60-minutes-prayer-got-him-through-harrowing-ordeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/air-force-officer-shot-down-over-iran-tells-60-minutes-prayer-got-him-through-harrowing-ordeal\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force Officer Shot Down Over Iran Tells &#8217;60 Minutes&#8217; Prayer Got Him Through Harrowing Ordeal"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fair-force-officer-shot-down-over-iran-tells-60-minutes-prayer-got-him-through-harrowing-ordeal%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2661042&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A U.S. Air Force weapons systems officer, codenamed \u201cDude Bravo 44,\u201d was shot down over Iran in April during a mission targeting Iranian missile and drone facilities. Despite sustaining serious injuries-including broken bones, cuts, and a damaged parachute-he survived a fall estimated at 70 to 100 miles per hour, which he attributes to divine intervention and prayer.After ejecting from his damaged aircraft, he evaded capture for over two days behind enemy lines, managed to climb a ridgeline, and sent a message expressing gratitude to God. His rescue involved a complex operation, with dozens of special operators, aircraft, and support personnel, marking the first U.S. ground presence in Iran in decades. The rescue team successfully extracted him, and he later emphasized the teamwork, training, faith, and leadership involved, viewing his survival as a testament to divine support. The event coincided with significant dates such as Good Friday and Easter, highlighting the symbolic timing of his rescue.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_1)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A U.S. Air Force weapons systems officer shot down over Iran in April credits answered prayer for getting him through the ordeal.<\/p>\n<p>The WSO, codenamed \u201cDude Bravo 44\u201d to protect his identity, told CBS \u201c60 Minutes\u201d host Norah O\u2019Donnell in an interview that aired Sunday night, \u201cThat day was just another day in the war for us until the moment where we got hit by an Iranian weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It seemed like a \u201cfreight train\u201d struck their F-15E while they were on a mission to strike Iranian facilities related to Iran\u2019s missile and drone production, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/rescuing-bravo-air-force-officer-iran-60-minutes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CBS News<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p>The pilot, \u201cDude Alpha 44,\u201d and Bravo ejected within seconds from their badly damaged aircraft and landed about five miles apart.<\/p>\n<p>But as Bravo recounted, \u201cMy parachute was damaged in the initial attack. At one point, when I looked up and saw no parachute, that was the most \u2014 that was the most terrifying thing I\u2019ve ever seen. So, I paused right then, and I prayed, \u2018Lord, your will be done. But if I\u2019m getting through this, I need help.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The WSO told O\u2019Donnell that \u201cfree-falling\u201d would be the best way to describe it, as he sought to get at least a partial chute deployment.<\/p>\n<p>Based on his description and the injuries he sustained, Bravo was likely going between 70 and 100 miles per hour when he hit the ground, he told O\u2019Donnell.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow did you survive that?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">MUST WATCH: The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/he-won-a-super-bowl-and-then-joined-the-101st-airborne-division-the-incredible-true-story-of-jake-bequette\/\" title=\"He Won A Super Bowl And Then Joined The 101st Airborne Division: The Incredible True Story Of Jake Bequette\">incredible true story<\/a> of the U.S. Air Force officer shot down in Iran, his heroic rescue, and his faith that sustained him.<\/p>\n<p>The greatest military in the history of the world.<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/60Minutes?\">@60Minutes<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/syxehQFqmO\">pic.twitter.com\/syxehQFqmO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RapidResponse47\/status\/2099302998581055576?\">September 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hand-of-god-earthquake-strikes-syria-lebanon-same-day-attack-by-hezbollah-against-israel-was-anticipated\/\" title=\"Hand of God? Earthquake Strikes Syria, Lebanon Same ... Attack By Hezbollah Against Israel Was Anticipated\">modern-day miracle<\/a>. I believe that it\u2019s a testament to God\u2019s provision in my life to bring me through that moment in a way that didn\u2019t prevent injuries, but prevented any catastrophic injuries that would have affected my ability to survive,\u201d Bravo said.<\/p>\n<p>A rescue team was able to get in and bring the pilot, Alpha, to safety that same day, but Bravo would have to survive over two days behind enemy lines, while seriously injured and with a small amount of water.<\/p>\n<p>CBS reported that he broke his back, an arm, and a shoulder, sprained his ankle, and was bleeding from cuts and scrapes to his head and face. Still, he managed to scramble 7,000 feet up a ridgeline and evade being captured by the Iranians, who at one point came within a few hundred meters.<\/p>\n<p>The WSO explained to O\u2019Donnell, \u201cNever let a lack of motivation put you on Iranian TV.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After reaching a concealed position high on a ridgeline with night falling, Bravo sent a message back home: \u201cWhen I got to the moment where I could review and think about all that I\u2019d gone through, I sent, \u2018God is good,\u2019 as a recognition of all that he had brought me through.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Secretary of War <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/fact-check-pete-hegseth-accidentally-quote-fake-bible-verse-pulp-fiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pete Hegseth<\/a> told CBS that he considered sending in a rescue team that night to retrieve Bravo, but \u201cIt just didn\u2019t line up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat was a really tough decision,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll never forget, you know, being in the situation room and saying, \u2018OK, I guess we\u2019re gonna roll 24,\u2019 which means, \u2018Hey, Bravo\u2019s going to be out there for basically 24 hours more.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/04\/05\/cia-deception-campaign-airman-rescue-00859368\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Politico<\/a> reported in April, \u201cThe CIA spread word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found the airman and were exfiltrating him out of the country by ground, according to two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-big-here-we-go-pentagon-halts-biden-transition-defense-briefings-biden-team-unaware-of-directive\/\" title=\"BREAKING BIG: Here We Go \u2014 Pentagon Halts Biden Transition Defense Briefings \u2014 Biden Team Una...e of Directive\">senior administration officials<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe feint bought time for the CIA to locate the downed airman and quietly relay his precise whereabouts to the White House and Pentagon, added the two officials, who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media,\u201d the news outlet added.<\/p>\n<p>Adm. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-adm-brad-cooper-corrects-trumps-iran-statistics-front-media-likely-trump-loved-change\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brad Cooper<\/a>, the American commander of U.S. Central Command, leading U.S. forces in the Middle East, told O\u2019Donnell that the Pentagon deployed 92 special operators to retrieve Bravo, marking the first time U.S. soldiers had been on the ground in Iran in 46 years. \u00a0There were also several hundred people in the air and thousands more in support roles during the operation.<\/p>\n<p>In a video released by the Pentagon, two paramilitary operators known as PJs can be seen linking up with Bravo and extracting him.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine walked through newly declassified footage of DUDE 44 BRAVO rescue. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2xCn56J48t\">pic.twitter.com\/2xCn56J48t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DOWResponse\/status\/2099293341577805882?\">September 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Bravo told O\u2019Donnell, \u201cThis is not a story about what I went through. Instead, it\u2019s a story of the teamwork, the training, of the faith, of the decisions and the leadership to do something that will live in history as an example of what America\u2019s willing to do, in order to uphold our promise and leave no man behind.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SecWar?\">@SecWar<\/a>: \u201cShot down on a Friday \u2014 Good Friday \u2014 hidden in a cave, a crevice, all of Saturday, and rescued on Sunday. Flown out of Iran as the sun was rising on Easter.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1GWtaiYoyj\">pic.twitter.com\/1GWtaiYoyj<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RapidResponse47\/status\/2041215962142118400?\">April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In April, Hegseth could not help noting the timing of the successful rescue of Bravo, saying, \u201cShot down on a Friday \u2014 Good Friday \u2014 hidden in a cave, a crevice, all of Saturday, and rescued on Sunday. Flown out of Iran as the sun was rising on Easter Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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