Bravo - The Fighter Pilot Shot Down
writing
YouTube recommended me this video over the weekend. It recounts the story and testimony of a fighter pilot, call sign Bravo. He and his crewmate were shot down over Iran earlier this year, behind enemy lines. The story of his survival and rescue is absolutely insane.
Some things that absolutely amazed me:
- When he ejected, his parachute didn’t deploy. He was free-falling and he hit the ground at an estimated 70-100mph yet he survived!
- He had a broken back, broken arm, broken shoulder, sprained ankle and cuts and scrapes to his head and face
- He knew the Iranians were going to be looking for him. Bravo landed in a mountainous region of Iran. He thought higher ground would be safer so, despite his broken bones and other injuries, he started climbing this 7,000-foot mountain. He said “never let a lack of motivation put you on Iranian TV.”
- He had no basic survival supplies. Normally they’re in a package under the seat but because the seat was damaged all he had was minimal survival gear in his vest.
- Iranian search parties were actively hunting for him and probably came within a few hundred meters of him.
- The first message he sent back to the US command was:
“I’m hurt, I’m moving, God is good.”
The above message was so moving. Despite the situation he was in and every reason to complain, he knew confidently God was still good and sovereign.
I’m reminded of the importance of:
- faith: during times of dire need
- training: also during times of dire need
- how both faith and training are important
- not panicking, not worrying about things that are outside of your control, prioritizing the problems ahead of you and then simply solving the most important problem that faces you