Six RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters fly over USS Nimitz, with parked aircraft and deck crew below.

U.S. Navy photograph, April 1980. National Archives

Operation · April 24–25, 1980

Operation Eagle Claw

Operation Eagle Claw sent a joint U.S. rescue force into Iran to bring American hostages home from Tehran.

About the Operation / Event

Dust storms and helicopter failures forced the rescue force to turn back before reaching the hostages. During withdrawal, an RH-53D collided with an EC-130 at Desert One, killing five Airmen and three Marines.

Airborne force

Six C-130s and eight RH-53Ds

Launch points

Masirah Island and USS Nimitz

Go or no-go

Six helicopters required; five usable

New commands followed

USSOCOM 1987; AFSOC 1990