Eagle Claw remembered

Wreath on the memorial
Air Force photo

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – There was a ceremony at Hurlburt Field Thursday marking the anniversary of Operation Eagle Claw, the ill-fated 1980 attempt to rescue 52 American hostages from Iran. U.S. forces who had gathered at the first staging area, Desert One, had fewer than the required number of helicopters in operational condition, and the decision was made to abort. But one of the helicopters crashed into a transport aircraft, which contained both service members and jet fuel. The resulting fire killed eight service members. Five were from Hurlburt Field. (Source: Hurlburt Field, 04/24/14)