On April 24, 1980, the United States launched Operation Eagle Claw, a mission to rescue American hostages held in Tehran, Iran. The complex plan involved helicopters, transport aircraft, and special operations forces. Mechanical problems and a dust storm caused several helicopters to fail en route. At a staging area in the Iranian desert, a collision between aircraft killed eight servicemen. The mission was aborted, and the hostages remained captive. The failure led to military reviews and reforms in special operations planning.
