40th Anniversary Operation EAGLE CLAW 🇺🇸

[ABNAK]

Seems like the topic of this thread vered off a bit of the original intent.

I had first gotten to Hurlburt Field in 1979 (dating myself) and was still there at the time of the operation. We lost several good men during the rescue attempt. Sad situation for the entire base as many people were involved and directly affected. Also those of us that were subsequently preparing for the second attempt, were training at a high tempo. The second attempt, which of course was cancelled due to the captives release, was in planning almost immediately following the disaster.

I wonder though, after the heads-up the first attempt gave the Iranians, how successful would a second mission have been? I mean any element of surprise (not exact time-wise, but the fact it was coming sometime) was blown by the first attempt. They had to know we'd try again.

[WillBrink]

I wonder though, after the heads-up the first attempt gave the Iranians, how successful would a second mission have been? I mean any element of surprise (not exact time-wise, but the fact it was coming sometime) was blown by the first attempt. They had to know we'd try again.

My understanding was the Iranians immediately scattered the hostages to various locations making a second attempt impossible. Anyone confirm/deny that?

[Slater]

As far as I can recall, a second mission was being planned and possibly trained for. The name "Honey Badger" is associated with this (rightly or wrongly).

[T2C]

I joined in 1981 and after long careful reflection I think Reagan as President and the emphasis he put on the military and in returning pride to this country is the most significant event post WWII. For those who did not live thru it it is hard to explain the attitude of the country during the Carter years and what Reagan did when he took office. The effect it had on those who joined the military and the benefits that has had up to today is immeasurable. Ending the Cold War is one piece of it; setting the military up for success with quality people who joined for the right reasons has literally changed the world we live in. Words can’t describe the significance of this.

I agree. I served 1978-1985 under both Carter and President Reagan. We started to see a difference right after President Reagan was inaugurated in January 1981.

I was on the protection detail for Mikhail Gorbachev in March of 2009 when he visited the Midwest. I heard part of his speech when he spoke at Eureka College and he had some very good things to say about President Reagan's strength and character.

A strong leader with character makes a tremendous difference.

[ramairthree]

I joined in 1981 and after long careful reflection I think Reagan as President and the emphasis he put on the military and in returning pride to this country is the most significant event post WWII. For those who did not live thru it it is hard to explain the attitude of the country during the Carter years and what Reagan did when he took office. The effect it had on those who joined the military and the benefits that has had up to today is immeasurable. Ending the Cold War is one piece of it; setting the military up for success with quality people who joined for the right reasons has literally changed the world we live in. Words can’t describe the significance of this.

It was glorious. I was too young to enlist in 1981 but did when I turned 17 a few years later.

Younger Boomers and Gen Xers had had their damn fill of their hippy leftist teachers and the US being a punching bag.

The bad parts of the 1970s and 60s vibe ended when the the glorious 1980s began. It’s not entirely chronological. The 1980s began when RR stepped into office. They officially ended when BC stepped into office.

The effect Of RR and the reinvigoration of America was so strong guys that used to brag about their draft dodging stories or ran away to other countries to dodge the draft were now making and starring in movies about heroic Vietnam veterans, having their anti war songs backfire into popular patriotic hits, or reinventing themselves as conservative pro-Amercians.

It was awesome.