F-16 Pilot Dodges Six Missiles

An American F-16 pilot’s heroic evasion of six enemy missiles without working countermeasures proves our military’s exceptional training triumphs over foreign threats.

Story Highlights

Major Emmett Tullia dodged six consecutive surface-to-air missiles during Desert Storm with broken defensive systems
Cockpit footage captured the pilot’s extraordinary composure under life-threatening enemy fire over Baghdad
Similar threats persist today as Houthi rebels fired missiles at U.S. F-16s in February 2025
The incident became essential training material proving American pilot superiority over foreign adversaries

Desert Storm Hero Demonstrates American Pilot Excellence

Major Emmett Tullia, callsign “Stroke 3,” executed one of the most remarkable defensive flying displays in military history during Operation Desert Storm’s opening days in January 1991. The F-16 pilot successfully evaded six consecutive surface-to-air missiles fired by Iraqi forces during a coordinated strike package targeting Baghdad. What made this achievement extraordinary was Tullia’s malfunctioning chaff and flare countermeasures, forcing him to rely solely on aggressive maneuvering and exceptional piloting skills to survive the deadly engagement.

The entire sequence was captured on cockpit video footage, providing rare documentation of real-time air combat dynamics. Tullia’s calm verbal communications during the engagement revealed the composure and training that distinguished American fighter pilots from their adversaries. The strike mission occurred during daylight hours when Iraqi air defenses were fully operational, creating an intensely hostile environment for the attacking aircraft.

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Technology Fails But Training Prevails Against Foreign Threats

Iraqi forces possessed a formidable integrated air defense system equipped with Soviet-supplied SA-2, SA-3, and SA-6 surface-to-air missile systems. The intensity of anti-aircraft fire forced F-15C escort fighters to withdraw, leaving strike aircraft like Tullia’s F-16 vulnerable to enemy engagement. Despite facing overwhelming defensive fire without functional countermeasures, American pilot training and decision-making proved decisive in surviving multiple lethal threats from foreign military systems.

The engagement demonstrated that human factors remain critical in air combat survival, even when technological advantages fail. Tullia’s ability to execute high-G maneuvers while maintaining situational awareness represented the culmination of extensive American military training. This stark contrast between American pilot excellence and foreign air defense capabilities challenged assumptions about technological warfare, proving that superior training and composure overcome adversary systems.

Modern Threats Echo Historical Challenges

Recent developments prove these threats persist in today’s Middle East operations. On February 19, 2025, Houthi rebels launched two surface-to-air missiles at a U.S. Air Force F-16 flying over the Red Sea. The American pilot successfully evaded both missiles through defensive maneuvers including a high-speed dive from 30,000 to 15,000 feet, demonstrating continued American superiority over foreign adversaries.

A US F-16 pilot outflew enemy missiles with extreme high-G turns for 15 minutes during a Middle East mission https://t.co/pJzWvLDFXG

— Insider (@thisisinsider) December 2, 2025

This incident triggered immediate U.S. military retaliation, with Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from Red Sea destroyers and Air Force jets striking Houthi radar positions. The swift response demonstrates President Trump’s commitment to protecting American forces from foreign aggression. These engagements prove that lessons learned during Desert Storm remain relevant for contemporary operations against hostile foreign forces.