READ what i said before you should be happy i am not making it a full iranian victory, even though the U.S. sustained more damage and deaths with no victory result which ledoperationarcherandmantis |
Guided missile cruiser heavily damaged?? No such cruiser mentioned in this article. Iran "coaporated" Iraqi warplane??? revert all uncited. |
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|casus=Formal petition by [[Kuwait]] for foreign powers to protect its shipping in the Persian Gulf, [[1 November]] [[1986]]. |
|casus=Formal petition by [[Kuwait]] for foreign powers to protect its shipping in the Persian Gulf, [[1 November]] [[1986]]. |
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|territory= |
|territory= |
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|result= |
|result=[[Operation Nimble Archer]]&[[Operation Praying Mantis]] |
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|combatant1={{flagicon|United States}} [[United States Navy]] |
|combatant1={{flagicon|United States}} [[United States Navy]] |
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|combatant2={{flagicon|Iran}} [[Iranian Navy]] |
|combatant2={{flagicon|Iran}} [[Iranian Navy]] |
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|combatant3= |
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|commander1= |
|commander1= |
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|commander3= |
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|strength1=1 aircraft carrier,<br>1 amphibious transport dock<br>4 destroyers<br>1 guided missile cruiser<br>3 frigates |
|strength1=1 aircraft carrier,<br>1 amphibious transport dock<br>4 destroyers<br>1 guided missile cruiser<br>3 frigates |
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|strength2=4 frigates<br>4 Corvettes |
|strength2=4 frigates<br>4 Corvettes<br>Several Mine Layers<br>Several Missile Craft |
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|strength3= |
|strength3= |
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|casualties1= |
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|casualties1=After end of entire operation;<br>1 guided missile cruiser heavily damaged,<br>37 U.S. marines [[Killed in action|KIA]],<br>49 U.S. marines [[Wounded in action|WIA]], 6 remained,<br>3 frigates damaged, 1 heavily |
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|casualties2= |
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|casualties2=2 oil platforms,<br>Several Iranian marines [[Killed in action|KIA]] or [[Wounded in action|WIA]]? |
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|casualties3= |
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|notes= |
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'''Operation Earnest Will''' ([[24 July]] [[1987]] - [[26 September]] [[1988]]) was the [[U.S. military]] protection of [[Kuwait]]i owned oil tankers from [[Iran]]ian attacks in 1987 and 1988, three years into the [[Tanker War]] phase of the [[Iran–Iraq War]].<ref name=kelley-0706 /> It was the largest naval [[convoy]] operation since [[World War II]]. |
'''Operation Earnest Will''' ([[24 July]] [[1987]] - [[26 September]] [[1988]]) was the [[U.S. military]] protection of [[Kuwait]]i owned oil tankers from [[Iran]]ian attacks in 1987 and 1988, three years into the [[Tanker War]] phase of the [[Iran–Iraq War]].<ref name=kelley-0706 /> It was the largest naval [[convoy]] operation since [[World War II]]. |
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==Location== |
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The [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] warships that escorted the tankers, part of [[U.S. Naval Forces Central Command]], were the most visible part of the operation, but U.S. Air Force [[AWACS]] radar planes provided surveillance and Army special operations helicopters hunted for possible attackers. |
The [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] warships that escorted the tankers, part of [[U.S. Naval Forces Central Command]], were the most visible part of the operation, but U.S. Air Force [[AWACS]] radar planes provided surveillance and Army special operations helicopters hunted for possible attackers. |
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==The motives== |
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In December 1986, the government of Kuwait asked the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] administration to send the U.S. Navy to protect Kuwaiti tankers.<ref>“Kuwaiti Call for Help Led to U.S. Role in Gulf,” Los Angeles Times, 4 July 1988.</ref> U.S. law forbade the use of Navy ships to escort civilian vessels under [[flag state|foreign flag]], so the Kuwaiti ships were re-registered under U.S. flag. |
In December 1986, the government of Kuwait asked the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] administration to send the U.S. Navy to protect Kuwaiti tankers.<ref>“Kuwaiti Call for Help Led to U.S. Role in Gulf,” Los Angeles Times, 4 July 1988.</ref> U.S. law forbade the use of Navy ships to escort civilian vessels under [[flag state|foreign flag]], so the Kuwaiti ships were re-registered under U.S. flag. |
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==The battle== |
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Even before Earnest Will formally began, it became clear how dangerous [[Persian Gulf]] operations would be. On [[17 May]], an Iraqi warplane fired two [[Exocet missile]]s at the [[frigate#Guided missile frigates|guided missile frigate]] |
Even before Earnest Will formally began, it became clear how dangerous [[Persian Gulf]] operations would be. On [[17 May]], an Iraqi warplane fired two [[Exocet missile]]s at the [[frigate#Guided missile frigates|guided missile frigate]] |
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''[[USS Stark]]'', killing 37 sailors and injuring 21. Iraqi officials said the targeting of the U.S. warship was accidental.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} |
''[[USS Stark]]'', killing 37 sailors and injuring 21. Iraqi officials said the targeting of the U.S. warship was accidental.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} |
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On [[15 October]], the reflagged U.S. tanker [[MV Sea Isle City|''Sea Isle City'']] was struck while at anchor by an Iranian [[Silkworm missile]], wounding 18. The U.S. Navy responded by destroying two Iranian oil platforms. |
On [[15 October]], the reflagged U.S. tanker [[MV Sea Isle City|''Sea Isle City'']] was struck while at anchor by an Iranian [[Silkworm missile]], wounding 18. The U.S. Navy responded by destroying two Iranian oil platforms. |
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⚫ | Earnest Will overlapped with [[Operation Prime Chance]], a largely secret effort to stop Iranian forces from attacking Gulf shipping. The most dramatic moment of Prime Chance was likely the [[September 21]], [[1987]], attack on the [[Iran Ajr]], an Iranian ship converted for use as a minelayer. Using night-vision devices, Army gunship crews watched the Iranian vessel lay several mines, then engaged with miniguns and rockets. A [[U.S. Navy SEALs|SEAL]] team landed aboard the vessel and seized it. Several Iranian sailors were rescued from the waters of the [[Persian Gulf]] after leaping overboard during the attack. The SEALs scuttled the vessel the following day. |
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==Aftermath== |
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⚫ | Earnest Will overlapped with [[Operation Prime Chance]], a largely secret effort to stop Iranian forces from attacking Gulf shipping. The most dramatic moment of Prime Chance was likely |
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On [[14 April]] [[1988]], the American [[frigate]] [[USS Copeland (FFG-25)|USS ''Copeland'']], while on patrol, encountered trouble with its primary missile launcher. The [[USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58)|''Samuel B. Roberts'']], assuming ''Copeland's'' patrol area, struck an Iranian [[naval mine|mine]] and was badly damaged. |
On [[14 April]] [[1988]], the American [[frigate]] [[USS Copeland (FFG-25)|USS ''Copeland'']], while on patrol, encountered trouble with its primary missile launcher. The [[USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58)|''Samuel B. Roberts'']], assuming ''Copeland's'' patrol area, struck an Iranian [[naval mine|mine]] and was badly damaged. Four days later, U.S. forces retaliated with a one-day attack on Iranian [[warship]]s, armed [[speedboat]]s, and oil platforms used as naval bases. Dubbed [[Operation Praying Mantis]], it was the biggest engagement of surface [[warships]] since World War II. Two Iranian ships were destroyed, and two American pilots died when their helicopter crashed. |
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When U.S. divers recovered several unexploded mines, they found that their serial numbers matched the sequence on mines seized the previous September aboard an Iranian minelayer named Iran Ajr. Four days later, U.S. forces retaliated with a one-day attack on Iranian [[warship]]s, armed [[speedboat]]s, and oil platforms used as naval bases. Dubbed [[Operation Praying Mantis]], it was the biggest engagement of surface [[warships]] since World War II. Two Iranian ships were destroyed, and two American pilots died when their helicopter crashed. |
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==Historical assessment== |
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On [[3 July]] [[1988]], [[USS Vincennes (CG-49)|USS ''Vincennes'']] shot down [[Iran Air Flight 655]], an [[Airbus]] [[Airbus A300|A300B2]], over the [[Strait of Hormuz]] after mistaking it for an Iranian F-14. 290 people were killed. |
On [[3 July]] [[1988]], [[USS Vincennes (CG-49)|USS ''Vincennes'']] shot down [[Iran Air Flight 655]], an [[Airbus]] [[Airbus A300|A300B2]], over the [[Strait of Hormuz]] after mistaking it for an Iranian F-14. 290 people were killed. |
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On [[26 September]] [[1988]], [[USS Vandegrift (FFG-48)|USS ''Vandegrift'']] escorted the last tanker of the operation to Kuwait. |
On [[26 September]] [[1988]], [[USS Vandegrift (FFG-48)|USS ''Vandegrift'']] escorted the last tanker of the operation to Kuwait. |
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The battle may have been the first military engagement between Iran and the U.S., with Iran winning the first and third engagement, tying the second, and finally being defeated by the U.S. in the last two U.S. operations. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 21:29, 16 October 2008
Operation Earnest Will | |||||||
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Part of Iran–Iraq War | |||||||
Mess Management Specialist 2nd Class Williams Hendrickson scans for mines from the bow of the U.S. Navy guided missile frigate USS Nicholas during an Earnest Will convoy mission. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States Navy | Iranian Navy | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1 aircraft carrier, 1 amphibious transport dock 4 destroyers 1 guided missile cruiser 3 frigates |
4 frigates 4 Corvettes Several Mine Layers Several Missile Craft |
Operation Earnest Will (24 July 1987 - 26 September 1988) was the U.S. military protection of Kuwaiti owned oil tankers from Iranian attacks in 1987 and 1988, three years into the Tanker War phase of the Iran–Iraq War.[1] It was the largest naval convoy operation since World War II.
The U.S. Navy warships that escorted the tankers, part of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, were the most visible part of the operation, but U.S. Air Force AWACS radar planes provided surveillance and Army special operations helicopters hunted for possible attackers.
In December 1986, the government of Kuwait asked the Reagan administration to send the U.S. Navy to protect Kuwaiti tankers.[2] U.S. law forbade the use of Navy ships to escort civilian vessels under foreign flag, so the Kuwaiti ships were re-registered under U.S. flag.
Even before Earnest Will formally began, it became clear how dangerous Persian Gulf operations would be. On 17 May, an Iraqi warplane fired two Exocet missiles at the guided missile frigate USS Stark, killing 37 sailors and injuring 21. Iraqi officials said the targeting of the U.S. warship was accidental.[citation needed]
On the very first escort mission, on 24 July 1987, the Kuwaiti oil tanker al-Rekkah, re-flagged as the U.S. tanker Bridgeton, struck an Iranian mine damaging the ship, but causing no injuries. The Bridgeton proceeded under her own power to Kuwait, with the thin-skinned U.S. Navy escorts following behind to avoid mines.[1]
On 15 October, the reflagged U.S. tanker Sea Isle City was struck while at anchor by an Iranian Silkworm missile, wounding 18. The U.S. Navy responded by destroying two Iranian oil platforms.
Earnest Will overlapped with Operation Prime Chance, a largely secret effort to stop Iranian forces from attacking Gulf shipping. The most dramatic moment of Prime Chance was likely the September 21, 1987, attack on the Iran Ajr, an Iranian ship converted for use as a minelayer. Using night-vision devices, Army gunship crews watched the Iranian vessel lay several mines, then engaged with miniguns and rockets. A SEAL team landed aboard the vessel and seized it. Several Iranian sailors were rescued from the waters of the Persian Gulf after leaping overboard during the attack. The SEALs scuttled the vessel the following day.
On 14 April 1988, the American frigate USS Copeland, while on patrol, encountered trouble with its primary missile launcher. The Samuel B. Roberts, assuming Copeland's patrol area, struck an Iranian mine and was badly damaged. Four days later, U.S. forces retaliated with a one-day attack on Iranian warships, armed speedboats, and oil platforms used as naval bases. Dubbed Operation Praying Mantis, it was the biggest engagement of surface warships since World War II. Two Iranian ships were destroyed, and two American pilots died when their helicopter crashed.
On 3 July 1988, USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655, an Airbus A300B2, over the Strait of Hormuz after mistaking it for an Iranian F-14. 290 people were killed.
These two side effects of Earnest Will — Praying Mantis and the downing of the airliner — helped convince Iran to agree to a ceasefire on 20 August 1988, ending its eight-year war with Iraq.
On 26 September 1988, USS Vandegrift escorted the last tanker of the operation to Kuwait.
See also
External links
- Operation Earnest Will on GlobalSecurity.org
- Photos of Operation Earnest Will
- Attack Squadron 95
- Photo Gallery of Operation Earnest Will
References
- ^ a b Stephen Andrew Kelley (June 2007), Better Lucky Than Good: Operation Earnest Will as Gunboat Diplomacy (PDF), Naval Postgraduate School, retrieved 2007-11-09
- ^ “Kuwaiti Call for Help Led to U.S. Role in Gulf,” Los Angeles Times, 4 July 1988.
Further reading
- Peter Huchthausen (2004). America's Splendid Little Wars: A Short History of U.S. Engagements from the Fall of Saigon to Baghdad. New York: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-200465-0.
- Levinson, Jeffrey L. and Randy L. Edwards (1997). Missile Inbound. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-517-9. (about the Stark attack)
- Palmer, Michael (2003). On Course to Desert Storm. University Press of the Pacific. ISBN 1-4102-0495-2. (U.S. Navy operations in the Gulf)
- Peniston, Bradley (2006). No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the Persian Gulf. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-661-5.
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- Sweetman, Jack (1998). Great American Naval Battles. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-794-5. (Account of Operation Praying Mantis)
- Symonds, Craig L. (2005). Decision at Sea: Five Naval Battles that Shaped American History. USA: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-517145-4. (Puts Operation Praying Mantis in broader historical context)
- Wise, Harold Lee (2007). Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf 1987-88. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-970-3.
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: External link in
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