from across the Atlantic? Is it an anti-British thing? Or is there a raw nerve? – you know….hostages….Iran….that type of thing. Remember Operation Eagle Claw, to rescue the US hostages in Tehran in 1980?
An unforeseen low-level sandstorm caused two of eight helicopters to lose their way en route to Desert One, but only after men and equipment had been assembled there. A third helicopter suffered a mechanical failure and was incapable of continuing with the mission. Without enough helicopters to transport men and equipment to Desert Two, the mission was aborted. After the decision to abort the mission was made, one of the helicopters lost control while taking off and crashed into a C-130. In the ensuing explosion and fire, eight US servicemen were killed: five USAF aircrew in the C-130, and three USMC aircrew in the RH-53. During the evacuation, six RH-53 helicopters were left behind intact (5 of their serial numbers are 158686, 158744, 158750, 158753, and 158758). These six helicopters now serve with the Iranian Navy. In their haste to quickly evacuate the RH-53s, the aircrews inadvertently left behind classified plans that identified CIA agents within Iran.
And if you want real toe-curling abasement before Iranian power, it’s difficult to beat those American Christian leaders in their recent audience with Ahmadinejad.
Am I being petty here, scoring cheap points? Well yes, I am, but I find this all strangely annoying. It brings out the nationalist in me. Maybe it’s a minority view in the US – I certainly hope it’s a minority view – but really, if this is how Americans react to the difficulties of their closest ally, then – how would Oscar Wilde have put it? – fuck ’em.
It’d be sad if this Iranian stunt had the unforeseen consequence of driving a wedge between Britain and the US.
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