4C-Inspiration: Persian Gulf Incidents (1980-88)

OPERATION EAGLE CLAW (1980)
The failure of Operation Eagle Claw to rescue American hostages in Iran was a pivotal moment in politics to better equip and train US military forces. This operation impressed upon me the seriousness of military service and the impact of military operations on national prestige.
* EC-130E Coronet Solo (USAF)
* RH-53D Sea Stallion (USMC)

OPERATION EARNEST WILL (1987-88)
Operation Earnest Will was the American military protection of Kuwaiti-owned tankers from Iranian attacks. Prominent was the use of AWACS aircraft to watch for Iranian aerial attacks on shipping and helicopter surveillance of covert Iranian mining operations.
• E-3B Sentry (USAF)
• MH-6J Little Bird (USA)

Operation Prime Chance was a secret operation executed simultaneously with Earnest Will. Attack helicopters and special forces teams were used to attack Iranian minelaying vessels and sailors on several occasions.
• MH-6J Little Bird (USA)
• OH-58D Kiowa (USA)
* SH-60B Seahawk (USN)

Operation Nimble Archer was executed in October 1987 in response to an Iranian attack on a Kuwati oil tanker with a Silkworm missile. The US Navy attacked two oil platforms that were being used to base elements of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Air cover and minesweeper operations were part of the operation.
• E-2C Hawkeye (USN)
* F-14A Tomcat (USN)
• MH-6J Little Bird (USA)
* MH-53E Sea Dragon (USN)

Operation Praying Mantis was executed in April 1988 after the USS Samuel B. Roberts hit an Iranian mine near Bahrain. The US Navy, Marine Corps and Army initiated the largest Naval battle since WW II, resulting in the sinking of an Iranian frigate, gunboat, three speedboats; damage to a frigate and F-4 fighter, and destruction of two oil platforms.
* A-6E Intruder (USN)
* AH-1T Sea Cobra (USMC)
* SH-60B Seahawk (USN)
• RIM-161 SM-3 (USN)

ISRAEL
Though Israel's 1981 Operation Opera was condemned internationally, Israel's successful raid on the Osirak nuclear power plant was an impressive display of airpower and a testament to the abilities of the US-manufactured F-15 and F-16 aircraft.
* F-15A Baz (IAF)
- F-16A Netz (IAF)

IRAN
Iran was notorious for using Chinese-made Silkworm anti-ship missiles to attack not only Iraqi ships, but oil tankers from companies doing business with Iraq. Iran based F-4 Phantoms along the Persian Gulf coastline. Phantom pilots performed strikes on the remnants of the Eagle Claw crash site and threatened US ships and aircraft in the Persian Gulf throughout the Iran-Iraq War and Operation Earnest Will. Iranian oil platforms used as bases for Iranian speedboats and minelaying operations were armed with AAA for self-defense.
• F-4E Phantom II (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force)
• HY-4 Silkworm (Islamic Republic of Iran Army)
• ZU-23-2 AAA (Islamic Republic of Iran Army)

IRAQ
In 1987, an Iraqi Mirage F.1EQ hit the USS Stark with an Exocet anti-ship missile. The incident was regarded an accident at the time, but foreshadowed the decade-long conflict with Iraq to come.
- Mirage F.1EQ-4 (Iraqi Air Force)

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