"The Guts To Try"
The abortive attempt to free the 53 hostages held in Tehran, Iran ranks as
one of the noblest ventures conducted by special operations forces.
On November 4, 1979, three thousand Iranian students stormed the U.S.
Embassy in Tehran. The students seized the compound, capturing 66
Americans. On November 17th, the militants released thirteen hostages. For
the remainder of the crisis, the militants held 52 American hostages. When
five months of diplomatic negotiations failed to gain the release of the
hostages, President Carter issued an executive order for a military rescue
mission. The rescue mission, code named Eagle Claw, ended with
catastrophic results. The mission was aborted in the first staging/refueling
area known as Desert One with the deaths of eight servicemen.
A combination of a helicopter supported force with additional C-130
transport aircraft was deemed the best option for a clandestine insertion.
The helicopters selected for the mission would be the RH-53D Navy
minesweeper. The difficulty with the helicopters was the range restrictions;
a refueling point would have to be planned along the route. Aerial refueling
was not an option at this time, so ground refueling from an EC-130 aircraft
would have to be planned. A remote site that was flat enough to land the
aircraft and perform fueling operations was found some 265 miles south of
Tehran; it was code named Desert One.
Abort criteria for the helicopters was a difficult tactical planning
consideration. Based on the number of personnel in the assault force, the
abort criteria was set at seven aircraft crossing the Iranian coastline, six
aircraft taking-off from Desert One, and five aircraft providing lift for the
assault. The hostages and the assault force could be lifted with four aircraft.
At 1905 hours local, the eight RH-53Ds launched from the U.S.S. Nimitz
positioned fifty-eight miles south of the Iranian coastline. The helicopters
proceeded on the first leg of the mission for refueling and link-up
operations in landing zone Desert One. This first leg was a 600 nautical mile
flight. The low-level flight profile was 100 feet above the ground level (AGL)
and at 120 knots of air speed. The crews used full-face, first generation
night vision goggles to assist with the navigation of the route. The Air Force
component, the C-130 transport package took off with the assault force
from Masirah Island, Oman approximately ten minutes after the helicopters.
The C-130 mission package consisted of three MC-130s transporting the
assault force. In addition, there were three EC-130 refuelers responsible for
the ground refueling operations.
Independently staggering out of two unexpected dust storms, six
helicopters arrived at Desert One ranging from 50 to 85 minutes late. The
refueling evolution began immediately. At this point, there was still sufficient
time to reach the next zone under the cover of darkness. Helicopter #2
experienced a second stage hydraulic failure and was declared unfit for
flight by the crew. Although the results of the mission were tragic, Operation
Eagle Claw’s contribution to the American military was invaluable. The
lessons learned from the mission illustrated serious deficiencies in the
capability of the American military. The mission forced the political and
military leadership to address these inadequacies and initiate changes.
Military reform would be complete and revolutionary. This scene depicts the
crucial time when momentous decisions were on the shoulders of the Delta
Force commander. The assault force had been compromised by a bus full
of Iranians, held in check by the Ranger security element. The Marine pilots
are flying the helicopters being refueled from the Air Force tanker aircraft,
the blades on each still turning causing both a deafening roar of engines
and blasts of rotor wash. A fuel truck that drove into Desert One had been
fired on by the security element. The subsequent explosion illuminated the
night sky, punctuating the deliberate decisions then being made and
bathing the Desert One site in a ruddy glow. Air Force Combat Controllers
work feverishly amid the cacophony to maneuver the aircraft into place. Col
Beckwith is depicted communicating to the Joint Task force headquarters,
informing them of the critical situation on the ground. The abort threshold
had been passed; the number of operational helicopters would not permit
successful mission completion. As this weighed heavily on the leadership,
every instinct drove the Delta Force to achieve the impossible with fewer
than required assets. The mission abort criteria could not be alleviated; to
continue would endanger not only their lives but those of the captives. "The
Guts to Try" captures the drama of the singular most historic event in
special operations history.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
one of the noblest ventures conducted by special operations forces.
On November 4, 1979, three thousand Iranian students stormed the U.S.
Embassy in Tehran. The students seized the compound, capturing 66
Americans. On November 17th, the militants released thirteen hostages. For
the remainder of the crisis, the militants held 52 American hostages. When
five months of diplomatic negotiations failed to gain the release of the
hostages, President Carter issued an executive order for a military rescue
mission. The rescue mission, code named Eagle Claw, ended with
catastrophic results. The mission was aborted in the first staging/refueling
area known as Desert One with the deaths of eight servicemen.
A combination of a helicopter supported force with additional C-130
transport aircraft was deemed the best option for a clandestine insertion.
The helicopters selected for the mission would be the RH-53D Navy
minesweeper. The difficulty with the helicopters was the range restrictions;
a refueling point would have to be planned along the route. Aerial refueling
was not an option at this time, so ground refueling from an EC-130 aircraft
would have to be planned. A remote site that was flat enough to land the
aircraft and perform fueling operations was found some 265 miles south of
Tehran; it was code named Desert One.
Abort criteria for the helicopters was a difficult tactical planning
consideration. Based on the number of personnel in the assault force, the
abort criteria was set at seven aircraft crossing the Iranian coastline, six
aircraft taking-off from Desert One, and five aircraft providing lift for the
assault. The hostages and the assault force could be lifted with four aircraft.
At 1905 hours local, the eight RH-53Ds launched from the U.S.S. Nimitz
positioned fifty-eight miles south of the Iranian coastline. The helicopters
proceeded on the first leg of the mission for refueling and link-up
operations in landing zone Desert One. This first leg was a 600 nautical mile
flight. The low-level flight profile was 100 feet above the ground level (AGL)
and at 120 knots of air speed. The crews used full-face, first generation
night vision goggles to assist with the navigation of the route. The Air Force
component, the C-130 transport package took off with the assault force
from Masirah Island, Oman approximately ten minutes after the helicopters.
The C-130 mission package consisted of three MC-130s transporting the
assault force. In addition, there were three EC-130 refuelers responsible for
the ground refueling operations.
Independently staggering out of two unexpected dust storms, six
helicopters arrived at Desert One ranging from 50 to 85 minutes late. The
refueling evolution began immediately. At this point, there was still sufficient
time to reach the next zone under the cover of darkness. Helicopter #2
experienced a second stage hydraulic failure and was declared unfit for
flight by the crew. Although the results of the mission were tragic, Operation
Eagle Claw’s contribution to the American military was invaluable. The
lessons learned from the mission illustrated serious deficiencies in the
capability of the American military. The mission forced the political and
military leadership to address these inadequacies and initiate changes.
Military reform would be complete and revolutionary. This scene depicts the
crucial time when momentous decisions were on the shoulders of the Delta
Force commander. The assault force had been compromised by a bus full
of Iranians, held in check by the Ranger security element. The Marine pilots
are flying the helicopters being refueled from the Air Force tanker aircraft,
the blades on each still turning causing both a deafening roar of engines
and blasts of rotor wash. A fuel truck that drove into Desert One had been
fired on by the security element. The subsequent explosion illuminated the
night sky, punctuating the deliberate decisions then being made and
bathing the Desert One site in a ruddy glow. Air Force Combat Controllers
work feverishly amid the cacophony to maneuver the aircraft into place. Col
Beckwith is depicted communicating to the Joint Task force headquarters,
informing them of the critical situation on the ground. The abort threshold
had been passed; the number of operational helicopters would not permit
successful mission completion. As this weighed heavily on the leadership,
every instinct drove the Delta Force to achieve the impossible with fewer
than required assets. The mission abort criteria could not be alleviated; to
continue would endanger not only their lives but those of the captives. "The
Guts to Try" captures the drama of the singular most historic event in
special operations history.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All sales are subject to availability.
All sales are subject to availability.
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be
reproduced without their consent.
reproduced without their consent.
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| Image Size: 33.25" x 15" Overall Size: 39.25" x 21.50" |