[SamAdams76]

I didn't post this to bum anybody out. In fact, I posted it to lift our spirits. Desert One happened under much different circumstances: A demoralized military still reeling from the Vietnam disaster, an ineffective and indecisive president, and in the wake of Watergate, a populace that had very little faith in their government. Remember that the Desert One debacle set the stage for Ronald Reagan's victory later that year.

It's been 20 years since Ronald Reagan took office and despite the 8 years of Clinton, it has mostly been uphill for our military since. We are now in much better shape to combat the Middle Eastern menace and we have the leadership in place to see this crisis through. During the long war to come, we may have bad days that compare to Desert One but we can be assured that any military losses will not be due to piss-poor planning and from lack of support back home. We can also be assured that our military will do us proud in the end and that we will prevail in this conflict.

I was just 17 years old back in April 1980 when Desert One occurred. I remember those times when America was not united and in fact dysfunctional. We had a "misery" index. Even President Carter was depressing, holed up in the White House ("Rose Garden Strategy") during the entire hostage crisis with bags under his eyes. It was not a proud time to be an American in 1980. We boycotted the summer Olympics in Moscow because, of all things, Russia was fighting Afghanistan! But two good things happened that year. The U.S. beat the Russians to win the Gold Medal in hockey at the winter Olympics and of course, Ronald Reagan was elected as 40th president of the United States. On February 10, 1981, less than a month after President Reagan took office, I entered the United States Marine Corps, feeling good about my new commander-in-chief. And I sure feel good about the one we have today as well!

[eabinga]

Thank you very much for posting this very interesting article.

[Prodigal Son]

Outstanding article. I was 14 when this incident occurred. I too remember what it was like to feel that America had been humiliated by these fanatics in Iran. And then I remember how Reagan started bringing our pride back. I have often sat back and wondered how much different the world would be today had that mission in Iran succeeded and the hostages were freed. Thanks for the post.

[backhoe]

Good post- I remember it all too well. We need to know this stuff so it doesn't happen again.

[Inge_CAV]

Good post.

When this happened I swore I would never vote for another democrat, ever.

[cva66snipe]

I was on active duty then and remember the day they were taken hostage. We were in drydock at Norfolk Yards when we went to closed ship for several hours. Nothing was said for what seemed like hours but probably an hour or so later the Captain told us we were on alert for possible deployment all work was stopped till we recieved orders whether to put the ship back together and go or remain for our overhaul. Finally either late that afternoon or evening we were told the JFK was going and we were to remain in drydock.

But there is a big difference in the military then and now. We had more deployable troops and ships. We had more planes. It just took the mind and determination of Reagan to use them more wisely. Unfortunately we are now short abot 4-6 carriers and carrier groups and many more submarines. In short we need to start rebuilding our military A.S.A.P. New technology is good as is a missle defense system. But the fact remains our basic old reliables if maintained properly and the users trained properly are our biggest asset. One should not come at the expense of the other. More focus needs to be put into getting back up to two thirds of our 1980 numbers in troops and equipment.

[Leisler]

I was in Headquarters Co, 3/4 ADA, 82nd Abn. We sent a couple of Sargents from the redeye teams for aircover at the fuel site. Later I was in 7th Group, met the pilot who flew a stol plane to the site to check it out before the mission.

Good men all, risky and they took it. Too bad then, and now, we are lead by frat boys, liberals, paperpushers.

[Reeses]

Carter was a very damaging president. The story I remember was that Iran had ordered many jet fighters from us and had paid handsomely for them. Carter canceled the orders then didn't return any of Iran's payment. That was what triggered the hostage situation.

Then there was Carter's high inflation, gas lines, and supplying arms to bin Laden to fight the Russians. If we had supported the Russians instead of fought them, Afghanistan would have become a civilized country.

Carter was infected with too many liberal mind viruses, ideas he believed to be true. He was too trusting, couldn't see that liberalism is a network of lies and liars. Because of it Carter was possibly our worst President.

[OldFriend]

Why just yesterday I heard Chrissie Matthews praising the greatness of Jimmy Carter. This after bashing President Bush for his performance during his press conference.

[ken21]

i'll never forget this. i was working all night on a college term paper with the tv on but the volume off.

i glanced up at 3 or 4 am to see a live feed of president carter. i knew it must be serious.

i turned the volume up and my heart sank.

what a loser--carter.

[nmh]

Jimmeh was a "nice" guy but an IDIOT when it came to thinking and leadership. Neither was something he knew anything about.

[Askel5]

Isn't it weird how the Dems ALWAYS screw up and the GOP ALWAYS wins the foreign wars but -- here at home -- the Dems beat us, hands down, every time?

[Terminal Velocity]

A good book on this operation was published by the Naval Institute Press.The author was Paul B.Ryan.The Title is The Iranian Rescue Mission Why It Failed.Excellent book as it covers the whole scenario and aftermath of the operation.

[rockfish59]

very interesting. i had always wondered what the hell went wrong on that mission. were any decorated for bravery? boy, them dummycrats really know how to 'use' and abuse the military. clinton & carter...the 'cc rider' boys!

[Timesink]

Fascinating article. I was only 10 when this happened, so luckily I didn't get demoralized about it; to me it was just more adults screwing up. Given the other events of that period, I thought it fit in perfectly.

[Timesink]

Hey, wait a minute...

...as many of the Navy's pilots were unable or unwilling to master...

UNWILLING? If they were Navy pilots, why were they given a CHOICE? If your commanding officer says master it, you master it! No?

[BRK]

Thanks for posting this. Although I was 19 when this happened, I was not astute at anything that was happening in the world. I was, for all practical purposes, an idiot (look it up in the dictionary guys). May *od forgive me for my wasted youth.

But anyway great article on what happened in that terrible situation.

[infowarrior]

In April, 1980, I was in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on assignment with the U S Army, at about mid-point of my military career. I remember well Desert One, and what occurred there...

the infowarrior

[Paul_B]

Very gripping. The bravery of the men is moving.

I had voted for McGovern, but by the time Carter came around I was of the "don't vote; it only encourages them" belief. And when Reagan appeared I believed the "nuclear cowboy" rhetoric the liberals applied to him.

But soon after I had a forceable growing up life experience. I became a Christian and began to see things differently. I voted again in 84, for Reagan. He had given me something to believe in for America and the world.

I previously thought Carter was a benign fool, but what I've been learning about his and his VP, Mondale's, disdain for Israel and idiotic support for various dictatorships has changed my mind about the binignity. These idiots are dangerous. And it's usually the good who pay for their mistakes, as in this tragic tale. May God keep them from power.

[dfwgator]

Within months, they, too, had been shoved aside, replaced by fundamentalist Shiite Muslim clerics led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

And where did the Ayatollah come from before taking over in Iran? FRANCE!!! Another reason to hate the Frogs.

[SamAdams76]

Bump on the 24th anniversary of this rescue attempt.