“They must know that we will protect our ships, and if they threaten us, they will pay a price.”
With those words, President Ronald Reagan justified his approval of Operation Praying Mantis, a day-long engagement in which U.S. Navy and Marine forces
delivered a powerful response to the Iranian assault of the USS Samuel B. Roberts. A hidden Iranian mine had struck the frigate in the open waters of the Persian Gulf on April 14, 1988. No sailors died, but several were injured and the ship was severely damaged.
Operation Praying Mantis remains the largest surface battle engaged in by the U.S. Navy since World War II, and its outcome was decisive. According to official reports released afterward, using a combination of anti-ship missiles, naval gunfire, and aircraft launched from several ships, including the aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise, the Navy destroyed two oil platforms used by Iran for intelligence collection, sank 4 small Iranian Navy boats, sank an Iranian frigate, and severely damaged another Iranian warship.
But that was all on April 18, 1988. Back when the United States believed in delivering swift, decisive responses to enemy provocations.
With those words, President Ronald Reagan justified his approval of Operation Praying Mantis, a day-long engagement in which U.S. Navy and Marine forces
delivered a powerful response to the Iranian assault of the USS Samuel B. Roberts. A hidden Iranian mine had struck the frigate in the open waters of the Persian Gulf on April 14, 1988. No sailors died, but several were injured and the ship was severely damaged.
Operation Praying Mantis remains the largest surface battle engaged in by the U.S. Navy since World War II, and its outcome was decisive. According to official reports released afterward, using a combination of anti-ship missiles, naval gunfire, and aircraft launched from several ships, including the aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise, the Navy destroyed two oil platforms used by Iran for intelligence collection, sank 4 small Iranian Navy boats, sank an Iranian frigate, and severely damaged another Iranian warship.
But that was all on April 18, 1988. Back when the United States believed in delivering swift, decisive responses to enemy provocations.
Reagan warned Iran later Monday not to continue to threaten U.S. interests in the region.
“We undertook this action to make sure the Iranians have no illusions about the cost of irresponsible behavior,” the President said.
The U.S. attacks began with the shelling of the oil platforms Sirri and Sassan, in southern gulf waters, about midnight Chicago time and continued for nearly eight hours, according to administration officials. They said the two platforms were manned by Iranian Revolutionary Guards and were used as radar- equipped military command and control centers.
“At the time of the engagement, an Iranian missile boat approached our ships with obvious hostile intent,” (Defense Secretary Frank) Carlucci said. “It was warned off, neglected the warnings, . . . (was) engaged by U.S. ships and has been sunk.”
“We undertook this action to make sure the Iranians have no illusions about the cost of irresponsible behavior,” the President said.
The U.S. attacks began with the shelling of the oil platforms Sirri and Sassan, in southern gulf waters, about midnight Chicago time and continued for nearly eight hours, according to administration officials. They said the two platforms were manned by Iranian Revolutionary Guards and were used as radar- equipped military command and control centers.
“At the time of the engagement, an Iranian missile boat approached our ships with obvious hostile intent,” (Defense Secretary Frank) Carlucci said. “It was warned off, neglected the warnings, . . . (was) engaged by U.S. ships and has been sunk.”
[h=3]MEET 'LIEUTENANT SORRY': BLUNDERING NAVY COMMANDER WHO APOLOGIZED TO IRAN's REVOLUTIONARY GUARD[/h]The US sailor filmed filmed apologizing while he was in custody with the sailor who broke into tears was revealed as a commander who 'takes responsibility very seriously'.
Lt David Nartker, 27, who was filmed apologizing, attended the US Naval Academy, graduating in 2011 with a degree in aerospace engineering.
He grew up in the Chicago suburbs and currently lives in California, according to his Facebook. Several videos on his page show him firing guns.
Nartker was one of ten crew members aboard two Riverine patrol boats captured in the Persian Gulf Tuesday after apparently losing power.
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The US sailor filmed filmed apologizing after two Navy vessels drifted into Iranian waters and were captured has been identified as Lt David Nartker
In footage broadcast on Iranian state television Nartker, who appears to be in command, is filmed saying: 'It was a mistake. That was our fault. And we apologize for our mistake'.
'It was a misunderstanding. We did not mean to go into Iranian territorial water. The Iranian behavior was fantastic while we were here. We thank you very much for your hospitality and your assistance,' he added.
His mother, Darlene Nartker, confirmed that it was her son apologizing in the video, and said that her son always wanted to be in the Navy.
'He's very proud of the United States and believes that the country needs to be defended by people who really care,' she told the Capital Gazette.
Nartker grew up going to private schools in Naperville, Illinois, before attending the Naval Academy.
'He takes responsibility very seriously,' Darlene Nartker told the Gazette. 'That's always been a characteristic of him.'
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He said to the camera: 'The Iranian behavior was fantastic while we were here. We thank you very much for your hospitality and your assistance'
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He was also seen with his a smile on his face as we was given food and drinks by the IRGC
Nartker's Facebook portrays him as a happy, friendly sailor and he shares many photos with who appear to be his relatives. He also features guns in some photos.
A day after the Paris terror attacks, he shared John Donne's For Whom The Bell Tolls poem.
The same day Nartker was identified, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the Fusion Network in Miami that the sailors had 'misnavigated' into the Islamic republic's territory and were trying to fix the problem when the revolutionary guard took them into custody.
There were suggestions the vessels drifted into Iranian water because of a mechanical issue, but now it seems it was a result of human error.
Nartker's filmed apology directly contradicted comments from Department of Defense spokesman Mark Toner, who said there was not 'a need for any kind of apology here' before the video emerged.
Nartker's apology also flies in the face of assertions from John Kerry that he did not personally apologize to Iran in order to have the ten captured service personnel released.
Kerry's spokesman John Kirby insisted the Secretary of State did not say sorry to his Iranian counterparts - because there was 'nothing to apologize for'.
Lt David Nartker, 27, who was filmed apologizing, attended the US Naval Academy, graduating in 2011 with a degree in aerospace engineering.
He grew up in the Chicago suburbs and currently lives in California, according to his Facebook. Several videos on his page show him firing guns.
Nartker was one of ten crew members aboard two Riverine patrol boats captured in the Persian Gulf Tuesday after apparently losing power.
+11
The US sailor filmed filmed apologizing after two Navy vessels drifted into Iranian waters and were captured has been identified as Lt David Nartker
In footage broadcast on Iranian state television Nartker, who appears to be in command, is filmed saying: 'It was a mistake. That was our fault. And we apologize for our mistake'.
'It was a misunderstanding. We did not mean to go into Iranian territorial water. The Iranian behavior was fantastic while we were here. We thank you very much for your hospitality and your assistance,' he added.
His mother, Darlene Nartker, confirmed that it was her son apologizing in the video, and said that her son always wanted to be in the Navy.
'He's very proud of the United States and believes that the country needs to be defended by people who really care,' she told the Capital Gazette.
Nartker grew up going to private schools in Naperville, Illinois, before attending the Naval Academy.
'He takes responsibility very seriously,' Darlene Nartker told the Gazette. 'That's always been a characteristic of him.'
+11
He said to the camera: 'The Iranian behavior was fantastic while we were here. We thank you very much for your hospitality and your assistance'
+11
He was also seen with his a smile on his face as we was given food and drinks by the IRGC
Nartker's Facebook portrays him as a happy, friendly sailor and he shares many photos with who appear to be his relatives. He also features guns in some photos.
A day after the Paris terror attacks, he shared John Donne's For Whom The Bell Tolls poem.
The same day Nartker was identified, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the Fusion Network in Miami that the sailors had 'misnavigated' into the Islamic republic's territory and were trying to fix the problem when the revolutionary guard took them into custody.
There were suggestions the vessels drifted into Iranian water because of a mechanical issue, but now it seems it was a result of human error.
Nartker's filmed apology directly contradicted comments from Department of Defense spokesman Mark Toner, who said there was not 'a need for any kind of apology here' before the video emerged.
Nartker's apology also flies in the face of assertions from John Kerry that he did not personally apologize to Iran in order to have the ten captured service personnel released.
Kerry's spokesman John Kirby insisted the Secretary of State did not say sorry to his Iranian counterparts - because there was 'nothing to apologize for'.
