The TOP SECRET Mission to Land In Iran & Extract American Hostages | Operation Eagle Claw

After completing flight school in 1970, Colonel George Ferkes served as a forward air controller in Vietnam flying O-2A Observation Aircraft. Ferkes flew in support of Operation Lam Son 719, Dewey Canon II, and the Siege of Fire Support Base Fuller.

In 1978, Colonel George Ferkes was assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, and, in April 1980, was tasked with co-piloting the lead MC-130 gunship in Operation “Eagle Claw,” Desert One, to rescue 53 American hostages in Iran. However, tragedy struck the operation when complications from a violent sandstorm caused two aircraft to crash, killing 8 servicemen.

Ferkes has gone on to serve with the Air Force Special Operations Command, Joint Special Operations Command, and United States Special Operations Command. He retired from the Air Force in 1999 with over 5,200 hours in 8 types of aircraft, including over 650 hours of combat hours.

Ferkes has been awarded, among other things, the Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Interview recorded on April 26, 2023

[fliegeroh]

Great video. Thanks for your service.
"Success has a hundred fathers, failure is an orphan."

[garyoakes]

I was a little kid when this happened. I never seen my dad cry. He never served but was a patriot. I remember him saying, "what brave young men ". Never forget it.

[joesgotya]

Had this disaster not of happened, US SOCOM and JSOC would have never been created. The finest, most experienced Special Operations conglomerate in the World. Cheers to the men in 1980 that had the guts to try 🇺🇸

[Stoney_AKA_James]

Here is a little known fact regarding operation Eagle Claw:
One of the plans was to get the hostages out of the embassy compound and move them to a nearby soccer stadium where the helicopters were to pick-up everyone and fly to the fixed wing aircraft approximately 30 miles away in the desert.
An element of select Rangers were sequestered months ahead of the op.
We were tasked to secure the soccer stadium, I was one of the best snipers in our company and was selected to participate.
We began running long distances as a contingency in case we would have to travel on foot to the desert.
"Luckily or unfortunately", however you want to look at it, our part of the plan was canceled and we stood down.
There were many lessons learned from this and I salute each and every airmen and SF-OD operator who at least tried.

[amgraz]

I was in my kc 135 over Saudia Arabia in support of eagle claw when we got the word that it was terminated because of the helicopters issues.

[petetorres]

Excellent interview. Very humble man. A real professional. Thank you for your service.

[eddie]

As an Iranian now live in Canada for long time, I remember when operation Eagle Claw happened. I was almost 10(now 53) in Tehran, and then government celebrated that as a victory and miracle which came from above!...This is the best ever documentary I watched and It sounds very neutral and honest, also very emotional. Thanks to Colonel George Ferkes and his comrades for their services and their daring and fearless rescue mission without any political views. Also, I am sorry about the 8 Americans who lost their lives try to rescue others. Thanks.

[PrayedForYou]

I enjoyed listening to this Colonel he is really well spoken and intelligent and given his age he doesnt seem to have lost even a bit of his wit and self. Thanks for this amazing interview im honored to be able to keep the memory of his sacrifices alive.
From one George to another I want to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude.

[johndilday]

Thank you for your service! Thanks for sharing your memories with us. 👍❤️

[tommychew]

This one hit home with as a Marine in the mid 80's. I was a volunteering type and would have gone if I had the chance to during my time. I'm so glad these stories are being documented, if not they would be lost to history. Living free off the backs off the men lost to wars was always on my mind and still is!

[Mikeabq]

Well said George. Honored to call you a friend over all these years. Cheers!

[zillsburyy]

THE OPERATIONS ROOM has a great video on this mission!!!!

[Autobotmatt]

The more I learn about Eagleclaw the more it looks like a Herculean task.

[danam]

I am so happy that this video was done, that this story has been shared. I remember feeling terrible for the men in those helicopters and all of those who served with them that day😊😊

[Leslie-]

My grandpa revealed the same thing in an interview I found after he passed, said “I was getting drafted anyways so I figured I’d volunteer so I can pick my branch.” Ended up an aerial gunner because they weren’t in need of more pilots at the time (so he said ha).

[markmoulton]

I’ve met George Ferkes when he was inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame of which I am a co-founder. I myself am a resident of his hometown…Noblesville, Indiana.

[clarkgriswold-zrsb]

I remember the day afterward when we saw the news reports. The images of the helicopter crewman on the ground is still burned into my memory. Thanks to your and your teammates for trying.

[mohamadalakhras]

Thank you guys for these awesome videos can't appreciate it enough

[Patrick-sbsb]

I think You're actually mistaken about the time. It was early 71, not 70 (I think). I was stationed in Quang Tri and served as a crew chief on a v-100 Commando Car. WE were escorting the convoys going from Dong Ha toward Ke Sahn on highway 9 during Lam Shan 719. We got hit by a rocket propelled grenade and were lucky to come out alive.

[nomdeguerre]

I was in the service during this debacle, from the feckless government tolerating Iran's outrages, to the loss of brave men due to incompetence and political interference. I thought confidence in our government could never get lower than it was at that time. Silly