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

This collection features aircraft involved in combat operations in the Persian Gulf region that inspired me to join the United States Air Force.

OPERATION EAGLE CLAW (1980)
The failure of Operation Eagle Claw to rescue American hostages in Iran highlighted the need for improved military equipment and training. This operation impressed upon me the seriousness of military service and the impact of military operations on national prestige.
* EC-130E Coronet Solo (US Air Force)
* RH-53D Sea Stallion (US Marine Corps)

OPERATION EARNEST WILL (1987-88)
Operation Earnest Will was the American military protection of Kuwaiti-owned tankers from Iranian attacks. The operation prominently featured AWACS aircraft monitoring for Iranian aerial attacks on shipping and helicopters conducting surveillance of Iranian mining operations.
• E-3B Sentry (US Air Force)
• MH-6J Little Bird (US Army)

Operation Prime Chance was a covert operation conducted alongside Earnest Will. Attack helicopters and special forces teams were used to attack Iranian minelaying vessels and sailors on several occasions.
• MH-6J Little Bird (US Army)
• OH-58D Kiowa (US Army)
* SH-60B Seahawk (US Navy)

Operation Nimble Archer, executed in October 1987, responded to an Iranian attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker with a Silkworm missile. The US Navy attacked two oil platforms used to base elements of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, with air support and mine-clearing operations integral to the mission.
• E-2C Hawkeye (US Navy)
* F-14A Tomcat (US Navy)
• MH-6J Little Bird (US Army)
* MH-53E Sea Dragon (US Navy)

Operation Praying Mantis took place in 1988. After the USS Samuel B. Roberts hit an Iranian mine near Bahrain, the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Army engaged in the largest naval battle since WWII, sinking an Iranian frigate, gunboat, and three speedboats, damaging another frigate and an F-4 fighter, and destroying two oil platforms.
• A-6E Intruder (US Navy)
* AH-1T Sea Cobra (US Marine Corps)
* SH-60B Seahawk (US Navy)
• RIM-161 SM-3 (US Navy)

ISRAEL
Though Israel's 1981 Operation Opera was internationally condemned, the successful raid on the Osirak nuclear power plant showcased impressive airpower and the capabilities of the US-manufactured F-15 and F-16 aircraft.
* F-15A Baz (Israeli Air Force)
* F-16A Netz (Israeli Air Force)

IRAN
Iran was notorious for using Chinese-made Silkworm anti-ship missiles to target not only Iraqi ships but also oil tankers affiliated with Iraq. Iranian F-4 Phantom pilots performed strikes on the remnants of the Eagle Claw crash site and threatened US ships and aircraft during the Iran-Iraq War and Operation Earnest Will. Iranian oil platforms used as bases for 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 fired an Exocet anti-ship missile that struck the USS Stark. The incident, regarded as an accident at the time, foreshadowed the decade-long conflict with Iraq.
- Mirage F.1EQ-4 (Iraqi Air Force)

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