While Cocciolone was shown on Iraqi television on January 20, 1991, in a propaganda video, no news of Bellini was given initially, and he was feared to be a casualty. The two were kept separate for the whole time of their captivity. On March 3, 1991, both officers were released. Bellini holds numerous military decorations including the silver Medal for Military Valor for his actions during the Operation Desert Storm.
