Operation Eagle Claw

Operation Eagle Claw
source
Name	Operation Eagle Claw
Part of	Iran hostage crisis
Date	April 24-25, 1980
Location	Desert One, Iran
Result	Failed rescue attempt

Operation Eagle Claw was a failed rescue mission conducted by the United States Armed Forces during the Iran hostage crisis to retrieve American diplomats and citizens held captive by Iranian revolutionary forces. The mission was authorized by President Jimmy Carter and involved a combined force of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel, including Delta Force, Air Force Special Operations, and Navy SEALs. The operation was supported by CIA intelligence and involved coordination with Israeli and British agencies. The mission was planned in conjunction with other United States government agencies, including the FBI and the State Department.

Background

The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979, when a group of Iranian students stormed the American embassy in Tehran, taking American diplomats and citizens hostage. The crisis was a major challenge for the Jimmy Carter administration, which had been dealing with the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution and the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The United States had imposed economic sanctions on Iran and had attempted to negotiate the release of the hostages through diplomatic channels, including the United Nations and the Swiss government. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, and the Carter administration began to consider a military rescue option, consulting with Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and other NSC members.

Planning and Preparation

The planning for the rescue mission, code-named Operation Eagle Claw, began in January 1980 and involved a team of United States military and intelligence agency personnel, including Major General Vaught, Colonel Kyle, and CIA operative Tony Mendez. The team considered several options, including a helicopter-based rescue and a parachute-based insertion, before settling on a plan that involved a combination of both. The mission would involve a team of Delta Force operators, led by Colonel Beckwith, who would be inserted into Iran by helicopter and would then proceed to the American embassy in Tehran to rescue the hostages. The mission would be supported by Air Force and Navy aircraft, including AC-130 gunships and F-4 fighters, and would involve coordination with Israeli and British air assets. The planning process involved consultation with General Jones, General Haig, and other senior United States military leaders.

Execution

The mission was launched on April 24, 1980, when a team of eight RH-53D helicopters took off from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. The helicopters, led by Colonel Kyle, flew to a remote location in Iran, code-named Desert One, where they were to refuel and prepare for the final leg of the mission. However, the mission quickly encountered problems, including a severe sandstorm that reduced visibility and a mechanical failure that forced one of the helicopters to turn back. Despite these challenges, the remaining helicopters continued on to Desert One, where they were to meet up with a team of C-130 transport planes that would provide fuel and support for the mission. However, upon arrival, the team discovered that the C-130 planes had been delayed, and the helicopters were forced to wait for several hours, during which time they were discovered by a group of Iranian civilians. The mission was eventually aborted, and the helicopters were forced to withdraw, but not before a helicopter collision occurred, resulting in the deaths of eight United States servicemen.

Aftermath

The failure of the rescue mission was a major blow to the Jimmy Carter administration, which had been hoping to resolve the Iran hostage crisis through military means. The mission's failure was widely criticized, and it led to a re-evaluation of the United States military's capabilities and planning processes. The Iranian government responded to the failed rescue mission by dispersing the American hostages to different locations throughout the country, making it even more difficult for the United States to consider another rescue attempt. The United States eventually negotiated the release of the hostages through the Algerian government, and they were freed on January 20, 1981, just minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the new President. The aftermath of the mission involved a thorough review of the United States military's special operations capabilities, led by General Wilson and Admiral Turner.

Investigation and Consequences

The failure of the rescue mission led to a thorough investigation, led by Admiral Holloway, which identified a number of problems with the planning and execution of the mission. The investigation found that the mission had been poorly planned and that the United States military had underestimated the challenges of operating in Iran. The investigation also found that there had been inadequate coordination between the different branches of the United States military and that the mission had been launched without sufficient intelligence and support. The consequences of the failed rescue mission were severe, and it led to a major overhaul of the United States military's special operations capabilities, including the establishment of the United States Special Operations Command and the development of new special operations technologies and tactics, under the guidance of General Downing and General Barbero. The mission's failure also had significant implications for the United States's relationship with Iran and the wider Middle East region, including the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League.