Operation Earnest Will: A Naval Campaign for Kuwaiti Tanker Protection

Table of Contents

Origins of Operation Earnest Will

Operation Earnest Will (24 July 1987 – 26 September 1988) was an American military operation aimed at protecting Kuwaiti-owned tankers from Iranian attacks during the Tanker War phase of the Iran–Iraq War. This operation became the largest naval convoy since World War II, showcasing the extensive naval efforts by the United States.

U.S. law prohibited navy ships from escorting civilian vessels under a foreign flag. To comply, Kuwaiti tankers were re-registered under the U.S. flag. The dangers of Persian Gulf operations were evident even before Operation Earnest Will formally began. On 17 May 1987, an Iraqi F-1 Mirage mistakenly fired two Exocet missiles at the USS Stark, killing 37 sailors and injuring 21, highlighting the risks involved.

Escorting Re-Flagged Kuwaiti Tankers – Persian Gulf

Initial Threats and Precautions

During the summer of 1987, nearly a dozen Kuwaiti tankers were reflagged as U.S. vessels. Starting on 22 July, these tankers were escorted by American warships and combat aircraft on their 500-mile journey between the Gulf of Oman and Kuwaiti waters. The first Earnest Will convoy faced immediate danger when the supertanker al-Rekkah, renamed MV Bridgeton, struck a naval mine two days into the Persian Gulf.

The operation highlighted the constant threat in the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy warships, part of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, were the most visible part of the operation. U.S. Air Force AWACS radar planes provided crucial surveillance, while U.S. Army special-operations helicopters searched for potential attackers.

Role of U.S. Naval Forces and Other Military Units

Numerous U.S. Navy vessels participated in Operation Earnest Will. These ships, under the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet command, were primarily responsible for combat operations in the Persian Gulf. The fleet included Carrier Battle Groups, Surface Action Groups, and ships from the Third, Seventh, and Sixth Fleets, all operating in and near the Persian Gulf during their regular six-month deployments.

Operation Earnest Will was the first tactical operation involving United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Navy SEALs, Special Boat Units, and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (“Nightstalkers”) worked together, marking a significant collaborative effort in military operations.

Over the 14 month period, many U.S. warships assumed escort duties. At one point, over 30 warships were in the region. On 14 April 1988, the USS Samuel B. Roberts hit a mine near Bahrain, causing severe damage and injuring 10 sailors. This incident led to a decisive U.S. response.

Operation Earnest Will and VA-95

Hormuz Highway Patrol Patch – Persian Gulf Operation Earnest Will Patch

Well…, let’s be honest here. There were some “actions” in the times preceding Operation Praying Mantis, but I don’t recall anything major for us. Yeah, we launched alerts due to unidentified aircraft in the area, but for most of us enlisted working the rook and in the hangers, the Earnest Will Missions were pretty boring work. We maintained our jets, and made our scheduled sorties. It was business as usual even though we worked under the constant threat of Iranian Silkworm missiles, F-4s, Boghammers, and more.

Here are a couple of excerpts from the Enterprise VIII (CVAN-65) 1986-1990 article posted on the Naval History and Heritage Command website:
Enterprise, meanwhile, completed her first Earnest Will mission on 25 February 1988, her embarked aircraft flying 17 F-14A escort/CAP, 12 tanker, five EA-6B and three E-2C sorties. Inside a fortnight, Enterprise embarked the three-man crew from an SH-2F from HSL-35 Det 7, embarked in Bagley, that crashed on 5 March 1988. Though not suffering major injuries, the three men were transported to the carrier for medical evaluation, returning to their ship following the mishap investigation.

Rear Admiral Anthony A. Less, Combined Joint Task Force Middle East (CJTFME) visited Enterprise, on 9 March. Four days later, Enterprise crossed the equator. Program for Afloat College Education (PACE) instructor Joseph Schweigenhoffer, who first Crossed the Line in 1936 on board battleship Arizona (BB-39), portrayed King Neptune.

Enterprise conducted her second Earnest Will support mission from the Gulf of Oman, including CAP, SUCAP and ASW, on 26 March 1988; and was shadowed by an Iranian P-3F. She subsequently anchored near al Masirah Island for a brief stand-down, holding flight deck Olympics, including a tractor-driving contest, from the 27^th-28^th. During the deployment, two destroyer tenders, Cape Cod (AD-43) and Samuel Gompers (AD-37), lay anchored nearby at various times, enabling forward support to Enterprise and her group, supplemented by COD aircraft routed through Diego Garcia and al Masirah.

A joint Franco-American exercise was held with Clemenceau, consisting of war-at-sea strikes, 1214 April 1988. The men of Enterprise held an air show for their French counterparts, and hosted the Omani Assistant Chief of Air Staff.
Yep… the French were there and close by too as you can see in the pics.

A Pair of VA-95 A-6E Intruders With 2 French Super Etenard Strike fighters From The French Aircraft Carrier Clemenceau

The French Aircraft Carrier Clemenceau Persian Gulf 1988

Thing were pretty routine until April 14th ’88 when the USS. Samuel B. Roberts hit that mine…

Operation Praying Mantis

On 18 April 1988, the U.S. launched Operation Praying Mantis in retaliation for the mining of USS Samuel B. Roberts. U.S. forces attacked Iranian vessels, including the fast-attack craft Joshan and the frigates Sabalan and Sahand, as well as Revolutionary Guard bases in the Sirri and Sassan oil fields.

The Downing of Iran Air Flight 655

On 3 July 1988, the USS Vincennes mistakenly identified Iran Air Flight 655 as an Iranian F-14 and shot it down over the Strait of Hormuz. All 290 passengers and crew aboard the Airbus A300B2 died, including 65 children. This tragic incident significantly influenced Iran’s decision-making process.

Conclusion of Operation Earnest Will

The combined effects of Operation Earnest Will, including Operation Praying Mantis and the downing of Iran Air Flight 655, led Iran to agree to a ceasefire on 18 July 1988. This ceasefire marked the end of the eight-year Iran–Iraq War on 20 August 1988. On 26 September 1988, the USS Vandegrift escorted the last tanker, concluding Operation Earnest Will, and the remaining SEALs, patrol boats, and helicopters returned to the U.S.

1980’s U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf Books


America's First Clash with Iran: The Tanker War, 1987–88	Decision at Sea: Five Naval Battles that Shaped American History	Tanker War: America’s First Conflict with Iran, 1987–88	Liberty Call	Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988