Air Force officer recalls ‘free-falling’ after jet was shot down over Iran

Key Points:

• A U.S. Air Force officer, known by the call sign "Bravo," detailed his survival after his F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran in April, describing a harrowing fall with a damaged parachute and severe injuries before being rescued after two days behind enemy lines.
• Bravo credited his pilot and crewmate, "Alpha," for saving their lives by ejecting them from the jet; Bravo survived a fall estimated at 70 to 100 mph, breaking his back, arm, and shoulder, and managed to evade capture by hiking a 7,000-foot ridgeline until rescued by elite pararescue operators.
• The "60 Minutes" interview aired as part of the show's 59th season premiere and marked the program's return after a summer of significant internal changes, including new leadership under executive producer Nick Bilton and staff shake-ups initiated by CBS News Editor in Chief Bari Weiss.
• Recent personnel changes at "60 Minutes" included the firing of veteran correspondent Scott Pelley, the addition of new correspondents such as Ross Douthat and Sebastian Junger, and the promotion of Norah O’Donnell to full-time correspondent.
• The premiere episode also featured investigations into Trump administration pardons and the Los Angeles Rams, with a closing segment highlighting upcoming stories on artificial intelligence and emphasizing the show's commitment to trusted journalism amid rapid technological change.