Retired F-16 pilot says rescued US airman's survival in Iran highlights intense evasion training

"And we have a motto, 'Stay ready so you don't have to get ready,'" he said.

The pilot, who also ejected from the jet in Khuzestan Province, was rescued Friday morning.

Rooney said pilots undergo extensive survival and evasion training to prepare for worst-case scenarios, including being shot down behind enemy lines.

"We are very prepared to escape and evade and set ourselves up in a position to get rescued," he said.

In such situations, Rooney explained, downed airmen are trained to move quickly after ejection, avoid populated areas and remain as concealed as possible while awaiting recovery forces.

They are also trained to reach areas where rescue could be more easily achieved.

"Be small, be stealthy, get high, so you can be rescued," Rooney said, describing the basic survival principles.

Those tactics, he said, are critical in the hours and days immediately following ejection, when a downed airman is most vulnerable and must avoid detection while awaiting rescue attempts.

"It's a race against time in these moments," Rooney said.

"And thank God that we won that race," he said.