Operation Eagle Claw

[APG85]

Unfortunately, the final flyable MC-130E that was at Desert One (64-0565) just retired to the Boneyard. Efforts to preserve this aircraft failed. This plane was the first aircraft on the ground and was severely damaged during a hard landing at Desert One.
The Final Eagle Claw veteran aircraft still flying (EC-130E "Republic 5") that was used as a tanker bird for the helicopters at Desert One is to be retired next month. This aircraft has a long and distinguished history (gear-up landing during LAPES testing in the 60's, aprox. 10,000 hours in Vietnam, involvement in every major conflict since, Operation Eagle Claw, ABCCC platform, etc.). Like 0565, efforts to get her preserved have proven virtually impossible. Despite everyone's acknowledgement that she should be preserved, the NMUSAF, Pima and others have no interest in saving this last representative of a mission that revolutionized Special Operations...
It's a shame as the Eagle Claw Veterans and the ABCCC community are eager for an aircraft to rally around during reunions and this aircraft is the perfect solution. Sadly, in another month, she'll be gone along with her history...
If you have any suggestions, please PM me...!

[Noha307]

The Final Eagle Claw veteran aircraft still flying (EC-130E "Republic 5") that was used as a tanker bird for the helicopters at Desert One is to be retired next month. This aircraft has a long and distinguished history (gear-up landing during LAPES testing in the 60's, aprox. 10,000 hours in Vietnam, involvement in every major conflict since, Operation Eagle Claw, ABCCC platform, etc.). Like 0565, efforts to get her preserved have proven virtually impossible. Despite everyone's acknowledgement that she should be preserved, the NMUSAF, Pima and others have no interest in saving this last representative of a mission that revolutionized Special Operations...
It's a shame as the Eagle Claw Veterans and the ABCCC community are eager for an aircraft to rally around during reunions and this aircraft is the perfect solution. Sadly, in another month, she'll be gone along with her history...

Do we have a serial number for "Republic 5"? It is indeed a shame that these aircraft are not being preserved.

[hercules130]

Republic 5 was EC-130E 62-1857.

[Ken]

Early bump for the anniversary on 24 April...

[muddyboots]

The intact CH53 is clearly a mock up. The rotor heads look like they are assembled from bits of plumbing and looking into the interior shows that it looks nothing like a CH53. It looks like it was assembled with bits of steel shelving.

Any truth to the story that the Marines picked thier worst helicopters to send on the raid figuring they wouldn't get them back?

I believe they were all Navy helicopters, not Marine Corps. It was a sad day for the U.S. Military and the Country. I think a lot of lessons were learned that day.

Modern Special Operations success can be directly linked to the failures we went through on this mission. It served as a very valuable lesson that we learned a huge amount from.

[Kudzu]

Hi,
Republic 5 EC-130E 62-1857 is preserved & on display ( outside but better than being scrapped ) at the Carolina's Aviation Museum in Charlotte. It can been seen during the escorted ramp tour of your visit ( no aircraft interior tours available that I know about at this time ).
I remember watching the TV news of the whole ordeal, start ( Embassy ) to finish ( release of hostages ).

Thanks to all those who had "the guts to try"


Kudzu

[sandiego89]

So does the sole survivor RH-53 in US hands still survive? The one that aborted to NIMITZ. The below list shows 6 that were written off in Eagle Claw, namely 158686, "744, 750, 753, 758, 761, but I think it should include a seventh (perhaps the one that was abandoned in the desert before Desert One) and does not specify which one was the 8th aircraft that returned to the NIMITZ: http://www.helis.com/database/model/418/

Does anyone have a serial number for these two airframes, or a tie in with the Bluebird call signs? I have seen a few preserved ones (like at Norfolk and Hawaii) and wondered if any were that Eagle Claw survivor.

Thanks

[Dave C]

There is an RH-53D on display at JB MDL in NJ that claims it participated in Eagle Claw. Number 158754.

It would be interesting to know what part it played.

Dave in NJ

[Ken]

See the link to a photo of the display at Lakehurst:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23711298@N07/23061419621

[Ken]

The below list shows 6 that were written off in Eagle Claw, namely 158686, "744, 750, 753, 758, 761, but I think it should include a seventh (perhaps the one that was abandoned in the desert before Desert One) and does not specify which one was the 8th aircraft that returned to the NIMITZ.

Yes, how odd that only 6 were written off. The story of the 7th helo sitting at its forced landing site (and what became of it) would be fascinating to know....

Photos of Iranian H-53's are available online. Assuming they continued to use the tail numbers, I assume it can be verified which ones they still fly were acquired at Desert One, vs prior purchase. '686 is the one shown on display wearing its worn desert camo an missing its rotors, engines, etc.

Ken

[JohnB]

IIRC,Iran had CH-53s in service at the time. It was said that they wanted to get parts, or entire airframe for their own use, but as mentioned above, someone else in the regime thought it would be great to destroy them.

Somebody on wasn't thinking right.
But like other third world states (Vietnam, Cuba, China, N.Korea,) they do love to display wrecked Amemican aircraft as grisly "trophies".

No doubt in the future, a president will apologize for the event...

[sandiego89]

Dave C and Ken, thanks for the reply and photo of the CH-53D. So if 158754 as displayed at DIX/McGuire/Lakehurst is indeed a Eagle Claw Survivor, she would have to be the sole survivor (in US hands) and been Bluebeard 5 during Eagle Claw- the helo that returned to Nimitz when ~150 miles short of Desert One. Bluebeard 6 was abandoned in the desert well short of Desert One with the blade crack chip light, and the crew was picked up by Bluebeard 8 and proceeded to desert one. Six helo's made it to Desert one, but then #2 was downed with hydraulic failure prompting the abort. Bluebeard 3 crashed into a refueling C-130 post abort. So #3 crashed, #6 was abandoned alone in the desert, #1,#2,#4,#7 and #8 were left at Desert one, some with shrapnel damage. #5 returned to Nimitz and survived. I will have to stop by and see her next time I am there.

[APG85]

Interesting article on the helicopters and what became of them...

https://warisboring.com/iran-plans-to-u ... .wm8f1ingd