By Richard Norman

For no particular reason, I thought it might be interesting to look at the very brief military campaign, Operation Praying Mantis, that occurred in April of 1988 in the Persian Gulf. 1988 was the eighth year of a catastrophic war between Iran and Iraq, that up until that point showed no signs of winding down. A year earlier, both countries had stepped up attacks on merchant ships in the Persian Gulf in an attempt to disrupt their opponent’s trade. With American support, the Iraqis did damage to facilities and ships at Khark Island, Iran’s main centre for petroleum exportation. (The Americans supported Iraq throughout the war, providing intelligence and arms). But as the Iranian navy increased its harassment of Kuwati oil tankers, the United States felt compelled for the first time to intervene directly against Iran with its own navy.

In July 1987, the Americans began Operation Earnest Will which would eventually become the largest naval convoy operation since the Second World War. American warships shepherded re-flagged Kuwaiti tankers out of the Gulf. Though there were many incidences during the first few months of the operation, it was not until the frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts struck in Iranian mine in April 1988 that American involvement entered a combat phase. This is naval historian David Winkler’s description.

Under the command of Rear Adm. Anthony A. Less, three surface action groups of three ships each went into battle on 18 April, with two going after the oil platforms and a third seeking out the Sabalan [an Iranian frigate with a bad reputation]. Overhead, aircraft from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise provided cover. Iranians stationed on both platforms resisted, but were overpowered by naval and helicopter gunfire. Marines and SEALs captured the two rigs, set demolition charges, and departed unscathed.

The Wainwright’s surface warriors had no time to celebrate. With an Iranian F-4 fighter quickly closing, the Wainwright’s, skipper ordered Standard missiles to the rail and away. Two birds streaked towards the jet, apparently causing damage as the plane rapidly fell before returning to Bandar Abbas.

To avenge the morning actions against their two oil platforms, the Iranians sent the Sahand, sister ship of the Sabalan, across the Gulf to attack oil platforms of the United Arab Emirates. An A-6E Intruder aircraft from the Enterprise responded to surface-to-air missile launches from the Sahand by firing two Harpoons and four laser-guided bombs. The guided-missile destroyer USS Joseph Strauss fired another Harpoon into what became a burning hulk.