Retired Air Force colonel speaks about historic mission
PUEBLO, Colo. (KKTV) - Retired Air Force serviceman, Colonel Michael Sumida gave a lecture about a historic mission at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum Tuesday evening. The lecture was centered around Operation Eagle Claw.
Operation Eagle Claw took place during the Iranian Hostage Crisis in 1980. The Iranian Hostage Crisis happened when a group of Iranian college students took over the U.S. Embassy, taking American diplomats and citizens hostage during a standoff that lasted for more than a year.
Operation Eagle Claw was a rescue mission. The goal of this mission was to rescue more than 50 people being held in the capitol city of Iran, but, unfortunately, the mission failed.
Then Captain, Michael Sumida, was on the crew of one of the C-130 planes that flew in the mission. The fleet of helicopters came across several issues and only five of the original eight sent in arrived at the first staging area.
As the crew of the remaining helicopters withdrew under orders to abort, a tragedy occurred, as two air-craft collided. Eight service members died.
Colonel Sumida talked about some details that often go unheard of related to the ill-fated operation and lessons he learned that he would carry through the rest of his military career.
The 44th anniversary in memorium of the of the Iranian Hostage Rescue Mission is coming up on April 24th and April 25th.
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