Wing
"FALCON"
v93 FS Command
v303 FG Command
BCG Medal
Warlord Medal
Operation Hedge Of Protection Campaign Medal
3
2k MSGs - Contributor Ribbon
Operation Prevailing Liberty Campaign Medal
3 Years - Longevity Service Ribbon
Investor Medal
Mission Editor Medal
Military Service Medal
Founding Member Medal
Group Command
F-16C Flight Examiner (FE)
303 F-16C Flight Hours
Virtual 93rd Fighter Squadron 'Makos'
Senior Pilot (SP) / Combat Mission Ready (CMR)
Today in History — 21 January 1980
Operation EAGLE CLAW
In a complex joint special operations mission, U.S. forces planned Operation EAGLE CLAW to rescue American hostages held in Tehran, Iran. The concept relied on a tightly choreographed force: Air Force AC-130s, MC-130s, and EC-130s flown by Airmen of the 8th Special Operations Squadron, alongside Navy RH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters piloted by Marine Corps aircrews.
Three weeks prior to execution, Maj. John Carney covertly infiltrated Iran to survey and prepare the forward refueling site—Desert One, located well outside Tehran. He emplaced infrared lights and strobes to mark the landing zone, enabling night operations deep in hostile territory.
Around sunset on 21 January 1980, the armada launched USAF C-130s departing Masirah Island, Oman, and RH-53s lifting from the carrier USS Nimitz in the Gulf of Oman. While the fixed-wing aircraft arrived safely at Desert One, the helicopters encountered severe challenges en route. Only six of the original eight reached the site—the absolute minimum to continue the mission. Shortly after arrival, another helicopter suffered a catastrophic hydraulic failure, forcing termination.
During repositioning for refueling, tragedy struck. An RH-53 collided with the vertical stabilizer of an EC-130, triggering a massive explosion and fire. Eight service members were killed:
- Air Force (8th SOS): Maj. Richard Bakke, Maj. Harold Lewis Jr., TSgt Joel C. Mayo, Maj. Lyn McIntosh, Capt. Charles McMillian II
- U.S. Marine Corps: Sgt. John Harvey, Cpl. George Holmes Jr., SSgt Dewey Johnson
The remaining force evacuated Desert One under fire and darkness. The following day, President Jimmy Carter publicly declared the mission a failure.
Though EAGLE CLAW did not succeed, its legacy reshaped U.S. military operations. The mission exposed deep shortcomings in joint planning and special operations integration lessons that ultimately drove reform and led to the creation of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
We remember the courage, sacrifice, and lasting impact of those who served.