USS Stark incident
The USS Stark incident refers to a significant military event that took place on May 18, 1987, during the Iran-Iraq War when an Iraqi fighter jet launched two Exocet missiles at the USS Stark, an American guided-missile frigate. At the time of the attack, the Stark was operating in international waters of the Persian Gulf, having been deployed as part of a U.S. naval fleet monitoring the region under orders from President Ronald Reagan. The first missile struck the ship but failed to detonate, causing a fire that worsened the situation. However, the crew was unable to prevent the second missile from hitting, which resulted in a devastating explosion that penetrated the crew's quarters, leading to the deaths of thirty-seven sailors and injuring twenty-one others.
Following the attack, the Stark took on water and caught fire, but the crew managed to regain control and navigate the damaged vessel to Bahrain, where it received assistance. Temporary repairs allowed the Stark to return to the United States, ultimately undergoing extensive repairs costing $142 million. The incident is notable as the attack was unprovoked, with Iraq and the U.S. not being in a state of war at the time. The fate of the Iraqi pilot who launched the missiles remains unclear, but speculation suggests he may have faced severe consequences under the regime of Saddam Hussein. The USS Stark's experience serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and dangers associated with military engagements and international relations.
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USS Stark incident
The Event An Iraqi fighter jet launches two missiles into a U.S. Navy vessel
Date May 17, 1987
Place The Persian Gulf
The USS Stark incident was at the time the worst peacetime naval disaster in American history. It was surpassed only by the explosion of a gun turret on the USS Iowa in 1989.
During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), an Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1EQ fighter launched two Exocet missiles, hitting the American Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Stark and severely damaging the vessel. The Stark was in international waters in the Persian Gulf at the time of the attack. President Ronald Reagan had ordered a U.S. naval fleet to the Persian Gulf to monitor the area.
The Stark’s crew was unaware of the firing of the first missile, which failed to detonate when it hit the port side of the hull. The fuel from the rocket caught fire, however, increasing the damage caused by its impact. Now aware that they were under attack, the crew was nevertheless helpless to stop the second missile from being fired: It impacted at roughly the same part of the ship as the first, penetrated to the crew’s quarters, and exploded. The casualty list included thirty-seven sailors killed and twenty-one injured.
After the attack, the Stark was listing and on fire. The crew struggled to gain control of the ship, finally succeeding during the night. The Stark made its way to the tiny kingdom of Bahrain, near Qatar, where it was met by the USS Acadia. The Stark was returned to seaworthiness with temporary repairs made by the crew of the Acadia. Under its own power, the Stark made it back home to the United States. The ship returned to Mayport, Florida, its home port. In 1988, the ship traveled to Mississippi for permanent repairs conducted by Ingalls Shipbuilding at a cost of $142 million. After the repairs were made, the Stark returned to active service.
Impact
The attack on the USS Stark was not provoked; Iraq and the United States were at peace at the time. It is unknown if the Iraqi pilot who launched the missiles was ever punished for the accident, because the Saddam Hussein regime was in control of Iraq at the time. American officials have speculated that the pilot was executed.
Bibliography
Levinson, Jeffrey L., and Randy L. Edwards. Missile Inbound: The Attack on the Stark in the Persian Gulf. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1997.
Wise, Harold Lee. Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987-88. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2007.