Desert Two

[thedrifter]

01-02-2004

Guest Column: Desert Two



By Tom Kovach


By now, most of the civilized world is aware that there was a huge earthquake in Iran, centered around the city of Bam, in Kerman Province. And, by now, many people are aware that humanitarian help is on the way ? courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.



As soon as I heard the news that America was providing help, and that the city was located in southern Iran, my mind went instantly back to the disaster that came to be known by the code-name for its location: Desert One.



In the early morning hours of 25 April 1980, commandos of the newly-formed Delta Force, airlifted by Navy RH-53D helicopters with Marine Corps aircrews, were on their way to rescue the American hostages held at the US Embassy in the Iranian capital of Tehran. They landed at a remote location in central Iran, northeast of the city of Yazd. The helicopters landed there to take on fuel from a specially-outfitted C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft which had gone to the rendezvous point by a slightly different route.



But, while on the ground, one of the helicopters collided with the C-130, and the area was engulfed in flames. Eight men died, and several others were injured. At a time when America?s military had been ?drawn down? (the term used the last time our military had been ?downsized?), and we were facing an increasing number of terrorist incidents, the debacle became a huge national embarrassment. That fact does not, however, diminish the heroic efforts of the men involved in a mission that (by the admission of its primary planner, the late Col. Charlie Beckwith) should have had more resources available.



History has a way of sorting things out. Talk-radio programs are already full of discussion about whether we should help Iran. My view is that we should, because it is the right thing to do ? the humane thing to do, the Christian thing to do. (One of the things that makes the teaching of Jesus unique is the concept of ?going the extra mile? for one?s enemies.) I cannot picture Iran sending troops and supplies to help America, if the roles were reversed. At least, not yet.



But, one of the reasons that Christianity has survived twenty centuries is because many enemies are converted by such acts of kindness in the face of adversity. A generation from now, Iran will probably be our ally again, and the pivotal factor may well be our help in the wake of this earthquake.



But, certain points stand out that deserve mentioning. Look at a general map of Iran, and note the location of Bam. Now, look at a map that shows the routes taken by the aircraft involved in Operation Eagle Claw (the raid to rescue the hostages). Note that the first place where the helicopter and C-130 routes converge is almost precisely the epicenter of the earthquake. Mere coincidence? Or, did God force Iran to its knees?



The supplies, equipment, and people involved in the earthquake relief operation are being delivered in several aircraft, many of them C-130s. This is the first time that American and Iranian troops have worked together since the hostages were loaded and flown out of Iran during Ronald Reagan?s inaugural speech on 20 January 1981. (The Iranians understood Reagan?s stated philosophy of ?peace through strength?.) But, there is another ?coincidence? that should not be ignored.



Among the things being delivered to Iran is the Urban Search and Rescue Team from Fairfax County, Va. Does that name ring a bell? It should. They were one of the key teams involved in the search and rescue operations at the Pentagon, after a terrorist operation crashed an airliner into America?s top military headquarters. The terrorist network al-Qaeda, headed by Osama bin Laden, claimed responsibility for the attack. These facts are now common knowledge.



Consider the irony. A country that most likely helped to finance the attack upon The Pentagon will now be aided by the same group that pulled people out of the flames of that building. God bless that team.



Perhaps, after the relief operations are complete, the government of Iran will offer to provide the United States with a token of appreciation. I have a suggestion: bring us Osama bin Laden and his personal briefcase.



Guest Contributor Tom Kovach is an Air Force veteran and freelance writer. This article originally appeared in MensNewsDaily.com. Kovach can be reached at his email mailform.

http://www.sftt.org/cgi-bin/csNews/....45757126482112


Sempers,

Roger