The US has safely rescued the pilot and weapons controller of its F-15 fighter jet that crashed in Iran. During this time, there was a race between the two countries to reach the American plane’s crew first. Since the plane crashed on Friday, the troops of both countries have been trying to outwit each other. In this dangerous situation, the question is common: how does a pilot save himself from captivity after crashing into enemy territory?
According to experts, it is not just a game of luck but a
combination of years of rigorous training, advanced technology, and instinct.
Retired US Air Force Brigadier General Houston Cantwell told
the French news agency ‘AFP’ that when a missile hits the plane, the pilot has
only a few seconds to eject. He says that moment is extremely terrifying, when
one moment you are flying a state-of-the-art aircraft and the next moment there
is an explosion a few feet from your head and you are in the air.
According to Brigadier General Houston Cantwell, after
landing on the ground, the real test begins, which is called ‘SERE’ training. He
said that in this training, pilots are taught how to avoid the enemy, survive
in difficult situations and hide their identity to reach rescue teams. The
pilot has a complete survival system in the form of a kit under his seat.
When descending from the parachute, the first thing the
pilot has to do is see where he has to land and which areas to avoid. As soon
as he steps on the ground, the pilot first assesses his injuries because bone
fractures during ejection are common.
Citing examples from the Vietnam War, experts say that many
pilots were seriously injured simply from the shock of exiting the plane. If
the pilot is not injured, his priority is to hide from the enemy and contact
his base from a safe location.
“Try to avoid enemy capture as long as possible, and if I
were in a desert environment, I would try to find water somewhere.”
A pilot’s survival kit includes water, energy food, first
aid supplies, and signaling devices such as flares, smoke bombs, and satellite
radios. This equipment is enough to survive for three to seven days.
The kit also helps to cope with severe weather conditions
due to the presence of thermal blankets and fire-starting devices such as
matches. In addition, pilots also wear a special jacket (survival vest), which
includes additional items such as a helmet, radio and weapons.
During this time, priority is given to communication and guidance
equipment, as ‘survival radios’ help pilots stay in touch with rescue teams,
while compasses, signal mirrors and GPS beacons help them identify and transmit
their location.
On the other hand, the Pentagon’s ‘Combat Search and Rescue’
teams are always on alert.
Retired Master Sergeant Scott Fells, who was part of the
famous ‘Black Hawk Down’ incident in Somalia, says that a rescue plan is
prepared before any mission.
According to him, the pilot’s location is determined through
drones, intelligence and signals ,then a team is dispatched that specializes in
extracting the pilot from enemy territory. The mission to rescue a pilot in
enemy territory is not just a military operation, but also a testament to the
fact that the military never leaves its soldiers alone.
However, when the forces of the two countries face each
other, every passing moment proves to be a thin line between the pilot's life
and imprisonment.
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