Do you remember Operation Praying Mantis? The Iranians should!!

2015-04-18T05:53:41-04:00

27 years ago today, I was honored to participate in Operation Praying Mantis while serving on board the USS Merrill. Under CINC Ronald Reagan, the US Navy showed Iran that the United States is not to be messed with.

Iran had been mining the international waters of the Persian Gulf. One of our ships, the USS Samuel B. Roberts struck one of those mines while escorting tankers in and out of the Gulf. Due in part to Condition Zebra being set throughout the ship and the quick action taken by the ships company, the ship was able to be saved, without loss of life.

Four days later...the rest of our Battle Group made Iran pay.

Today, we are on the verge of allowing Iran to continue its quest to become nuclear threat to an already unstable region. Regardless of their stated intentions, nothing good can come of any negotiations where the end result allows Iran to have nuclear weapons capabilities.

Nevertheless, under proper leadership and training, the US Navy can do again what it did 27 years ago. To the rest of my fellow OS's, I have the bubble.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Praying_Mantis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJD-uPvX_d0

Operation Praying Mantis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Operation Praying Mantis was an attack on 18 April 1988, by U.S. forces within Iranian territorial waters in retaliation for the Iranian mining of the Persian Gulf during the Iran–Iraq war and the subsequent damage to an American warship.

Response by CDR Mike Kovack made Apr 21 at 2015 7:25 AM

2015-04-21T07:25:40-04:00

27 years ago we punished Iran for it's direct actions......mining an area which resulted in damage to a US vessel of war. It really didn't effect the big picture, but it did show we would react to direct aggression. There are not many "big lessons" to be learned from Preying Mantis......but it sure felt good! *L*

I was on the Lynde McCormick trailing behind the Merrill on that day 27 years ago in the vicinity of the Sassan oil platform.....;)

Response by PO1 Joseph Frazier made Apr 22 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-04-22T15:45:26-04:00

Was getting ready to Graduate and head to "boot camp" 27 years ago. But I was part of Earnest Will Ops in 1989. Allowing the Iranians to continue their nuclear ambitions after so many Veterans have done to protect the region from extremist is a slap in all of our faces.

Response by PO2 Mike Tilley made Jun 24 at 2015 9:49 PM

2015-06-24T21:49:43-04:00

Yes, I remember it well! I was a crew member of the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts on the day of the mine blast incident.

Response by CDR Mike Kovack made Jun 25 at 2015 6:25 PM

2015-06-25T18:25:00-04:00

This was the Iranian Frigate Sahand that had the temerity to venture forth to challenge U.S. forces that day! Operation Preying Mantis was the largest sea battle since World War II and the first time anti-ship missiles were launched against actual targets.

Response by CDR Mike Kovack made Jun 25 at 2015 6:26 PM

2015-06-25T18:26:01-04:00

Sassan Oil platform after shelling by USS Merrill and USS Lynde McCormick.

Response by LCDR Andy Hill made Apr 18 at 2020 1:44 AM

2020-04-18T01:44:51-04:00

Was there as well. USS Enterprise.