A U.S. airman who was shot down over Iran while manning an F-15 fighter jet in the spring recounted the moment he free-fell to the ground over enemy territory and the subsequent rescue mission that saved him for the first time on Sunday.

While speaking with Norah O’Donnell of 60 Minutes, the pilot, referred to as “Bravo,” recounted how his parachute was damaged when a shoulder-fired missile hit the jet he was operating. He was part of a two-man crew with the mission call sign “Dude 44”. The weapons systems officer survived for nearly two days with a broken back, arm, and shoulder before U.S. special forces rescued him. His partner, referred to as “Alpha”, had already been rescued and is back flying for the Air Force.