Referring back to a previous anon who stated Iron Eagle is military slang for a Colonel whose rank will not rise to General.
Here is an Air Force Colonel, Thomas E. Schaefer, who was taken hostage during the Iran hostage situation back in 1979 and was held for 444 days. He recently passed away.
https:// www.washingtonpost.com/world/thomas-e-schaefer-air-force-colonel-taken-hostage-in-iran-dies-at-85/2016/06/04/1d77e740-2a54-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.399ccc30a409