353rd SOG Airmen remember Operation Eagle Claw during combat dining out Published April 8, 2008 By Master Sgt. Marilyn Holliday 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- In an event steeped in tradition and heritage, members from the 353rd Special Operations Group gathered April 4 for a combat dining out in the 353rd Maintenance Squadron hangar here. The event was held in commemoration of the anniversary of Operation Eagle Claw. "It's important for us to remember where we came from," Colonel David Mullins, 353rd Special Operations Group commander, said. "Hosting a dining out allows us to gather with military and family members to pay tribute to those who have gone before us." Operation Eagle Claw, also referred to as Desert One, was a failed rescue mission into Iran made on April 24, 1980 to retrieve 53 Americans held captive there. Two of the aircraft collided on the ground at a remote desert site, called "Desert , resulting in the death of eight crew members. The raid led the captors to move American hostages to locations throughout Iran and keep them hostage for 444 days. They were eventually released Jan. 20, 1981. Guest speaker for the event was retired Colonel Ray Turnczynski, who flew as one of the pilots on an MC-130E that landed at the remote desert site, called "Desert One". He spoke about the mission and the eight military members who died during the rescue attempt. The joint mission involved U.S. Marine Corps RH-53 helicopters, MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft, EC-130 Commando Solo airborne battlefield command and control centers, AC-130H Spectre gunships and C-141 Starlifters. The failure was linked to a multitude of mishaps, to include pilots only being able to fly at or below 200 feet to avoid radar. This action caused dust storms that forced helicopter pilots to land and not finish the mission. Inoperable helicopters and poor planning due to weather conditions were also causes of the failed attempt. Following an accident where a C-130 aircraft and a helicopter crashed, the mission was aborted. Because of the failed rescue attempt, the United States Special Operations Command was created and special operations forces from each of the military services are now under the overall control of USSOCOM. "Although Desert One was a failure, the sacrifices of those eight members were not in vain," Master Sgt. Rebecca Carlson, combat dining out project officer, said. "This combat dining out gives us a chance to remember our heritage while creating an opportunity for camaraderie. We're proud of both the military and Special Operations Forces heritage." More than 300 dining out participants processed through a deployment line, then made their way through an obstacle course, before being seated for the event. "Having never been to an event like this before, I couldn't have imagined what to expect," Airman First Class J.P. Thomas, first timer to a combat dining out, said. "It definitely boosted my morale. Nowhere else could I squirt water guns at senior leaders and co-workers and get away with it. I will never forget the 353d SOG Combat Dining Out." The combat dining out is the newest of the dining-in traditions and is popular in operational units. The format and sequence of events are built around the traditional dining-in, which is a descendant of the wing dings of General Hap Arnold's time during World War II. The addition of non-military personnel is what differentiates the dining out from the dining-in and wing dings. For this event, military members and civilians alike were authorized to wear variations of the Air Force uniforms.