A-6E TRAM Intruder VA-95 Op Praying Mantis 1988

Between 18–19 April 1988, Flying off the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), VA-95 participated in Operation Praying Mantis, retaliatory strikes against Iran after USS Samuel B. Roberts struck an Iranian mine in international waters. Squadron aircraft attacked Iranian Boghammar speedboats, using Rockeye cluster bombs. They sunk one and damaged another.

Later in the day, the Iranian frigate Sahand' fired missiles at two of the squadron’s aircraft while they were flying a surface combat air patrol for USS Joseph Strauss. The aircraft evaded the missiles and returned fire with two AGM-84 Harpoons and four laser-guided Skipper bombs. This attack was followed by a Harpoon firing from Joseph Strauss. The attack against the Sahand left her blazing. Eventually the fires reached her magazines, and the final explosions lead to her sinking.

Following this action the sister ship of the Sahand, the Sabalan, left port and engaged several of the squadron’s aircraft, firing a missile at them. One of the squadron’s A-6s responded with a laser-guided bomb that hit Sabalan, and she went dead in the water. The Sabalan was taken in tow by an Iranian tug, her fantail partially submerged. VA-95’s aircraft were ordered not to continue the attack. The squadron continued to fly combat sorties during 19 April but no other action resulted.