Ex-fighter pilot tells how airman shot down in Iran evaded capture before rescue

Ex-fighter pilot tells how airman shot down in Iran evaded capture before rescueLt. Col. Dan Rooney said fighter jet pilots had been trained to prepare for the moment they could find themselves in enemy territory should their aircraft be downedCommentsNewsAnders Anglesey News Reporter17:42, 06 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesThe pilot was rescued during a daring operation last week (Image: US AIR FORCE/AFP via Getty Images)A retired fighter jet pilot has revealed how an American airman shot down in Iran managed to evade capture before his rescue.‌Ex-US pilot Lt. Col. Dan Rooney shared how he believed the US airman survived after he was downed during an operation in Iran. Before his rescue, both Americans and Iranians raced to secure in to avoid embarrassment or to obtain a valuable bargaining chip, respectively.‌US forces launched an ambitious rescue mission after an American F-15E pilot was downed in Khuzestan Province. He was rescued on Friday morning in what President Donald Trump called an "Easter miracle."‌READ MORE: What Trump 'finishing job' in Iran could look like as President's deadline loomsREAD MORE: UK government 'wouldn't use' Donald Trump's language after sweary Iran rantView 3 ImagesRooney said pilots have been trained for tense situations (Image: Fox News)"As a F-16 fighter pilot, I'll tell you that the last thing we do before we step to go fly a combat sortie is we brief up the CSAR mission and understanding what will happen if we have to get out of that aircraft," Rooney told Fox and Friends Weekend. "And we have a motto, 'Stay ready so you don't have to get ready."Rooney further explained that downed airmen had been trained to move quickly after being ejected from the jets and to avoid populated areas and that they were told to remain as concealed while awaiting rescue. They had also received training in how to reach rescue locations, Rooney said.‌He added of the survival advice:...