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Talk about bad luck.
Surviving a single plane crash is enough to change any person’s life forever.
Now imagine being in two crashes in a matter of months — and being shot down in both instances, with the first time being due to friendly fire.
Unimaginably unlucky, right? Well, tell that to the American F-15E fighter jet pilot who was downed on a mission in Iran in early April.
Hit by lightning twice
According to CBS News, one of the pilots involved in a friendly-fire incident at the beginning of the war in Iran has now been downed once again. This time, however, there are no reports of friendly fire.
In the initial incident, Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly targeted and shot down three F-15E Strike Eagles over Kuwait.
The second incident occurred during a high-stakes mission over Iran on April 3. This time, an Iranian surface-to-air missile struck the pilot’s F-15E, forcing another immediate ejection.
Talk about bad luck
According to national security reporter Sean Naylor, who first broke the story on his Substack, The High Side, the pilot’s dual shootdowns represent an almost unprecedented sequence of events.
Following the second crash, a daring rescue operation unfolded over enemy territory. CBS News reported that the injured pilot was rescued after a grueling few hours, while the second crew member evaded capture for nearly two days before being saved.
Rare military survival
The heroic actions of the crew drew high praise from top military officials during an April briefing at the White House.
“The courage demonstrated by both the pilot and the weapons system officer while isolated and evading the enemy cannot be overstated,” Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said after the succesful rescue in April, CBS News reported on April 7.
Caine added that their incredible grit and warfighting tenacity stemmed from absolute trust in their training and the rescue teams.
Other seasoned veterans find the double shootdown entirely shocking. Retired Air Force Lieutenant General David Deptula told CBS News that it is highly unusual, comparing the rare feat to getting hit by lightning twice.
Sources: CBS News, Substack The High Side by Sean Naylor, White House press briefing
