Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of Desert One.
No Angst Zone has an excellent post with related links to VFW Magazine, Airman Magazine, and this from the AP wire. Here is an excerpt from No Angst Zone:
The tragedy at Desert One was a watershed moment in the history of U.S. special operations. This was the turning point that led to the creation of 160th SOAR, USSOCOM, and numerous other reforms that paved the way for eventual success in Desert Storm and even bigger success in the current GWOT.
So, Army Rangers and Delta, Navy and Marine helicopter crews, and Air Force Combat Controllers and Herk crews, thank you for having the guts to try. Despite having inadequate equpiment, poor planning, and a pick-up team, you still undertook the mission and proved to the world, that even in a time of national malaise, the spirit of the American fighting man would never be broken, no matter how high the odds and how risky the endeavor.
Air Force Voices joins No Angst Zone among many others in remembering Desert One and thanking these brave men and women.
Also, a big thanks and a salute to those sacrifice and serve in our Nation's Special Forces...who undertake the most dangerous missions in the interest of freedom.