Operation Credible Sport

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Operation Credible Sport was a United States military operation plan in late 1980 to rescue the hostages held in Iran using C-130 cargo planes modified with rocket engines. The Credible Sport operation was a new plan to rescue the hostages after the dramatic failure of Operation Eagle Claw. Eagle Claw failed when a C-130 Hercules and a Sea Stallion helicopter collided in the Iranian desert, killing 8 servicemen. Credible Sport was abandoned after the election of Ronald Reagan as President in November, 1980.

The Credible Sport plan called for highly modified C-130 Hercules cargo planes to land in a soccer stadium not far from the American Embassy in Tehran and airlift the hostages out. Three aircraft were modified under a top secret project at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida to YMC-130H configuration with rocket packages blistered onto the forward and aft fuselage, which theoretically enabled the planes to land and take off within the confines of the sports arena.

During a demonstration at Wagner Field Not Duke Field, Eglin Auxiliary Field 3, on October 29, 1980, one of the modified Hercules landed very heavily. Some reports are that the (forward facing) braking rockets fired a few seconds early; it has also been reported that the problem was with the failure of the (downward facing) descent arresting rockets. As a result, the aircraft suffered an extremely heavy landing, tearing off the starboard wing, setting off a fire, and resulting in the airframe, serial 74-1683, being written off. Despite this, the entire crew survived.

This failure, coupled with the defeat of Jimmy Carter by Ronald Reagan in the presidential election on November 4, 1980, led to the cancellation of this rescue mission plan. The hostages were subsequently released concurrent with Reagan's inauguration in January 1981.

The other two airframes, serials 74-1686 and 74-2065, were stripped of their rocket modifications and returned to regular airlift duties. In 1988 74-1686 was placed on display at the Robins Air Force Base museum, Georgia, still retaining its JATO hard-points and surrounding thermo-insulating paint. As of February 2008, 74-2065 is assigned to the 317th Airlift Group, 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, in grey scheme with blue tailband.

Detailed Information:

The program was at one time referred to as PROJECT MAX.

The "CREDIBLE SPORT" or XSC-130 H, YMC-130 H, YSC-130 H, etc. SUPER STOL PROGRAM. Defined on Lockheed top drawing No. 3319810. This program was declassified according to the Secretary of the Air Force and the DOD in 1986.

Some Individuals involved with the program were. Ray C. Doyle, TSgt Kenneth L. Bancroft, Mr. Klenke, O. C. Brockington was program manager, Capt McCommon, Capt Crombie, Mr Walt Dunn, Mr. Henson Contracting Officer, Mr. Mullins, Mr. Stauble, Mr. Sweeny Capt. Collins, Mike Engel, Leo Cambone, Bob Harper, Tom Pinkerton, Tom Craves, Rich Engel, Dirk Prather, Bouie Kendal, Col Karl Jones, Capt. Jack Brooks, Ken Paddin, Col. Joe Birt Lt. Col Raddin, Mr. Jim Brinkley, Mr. Buford Toole, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Schott, Mr. Elgin Werbeck, Mr. Schnirel, Mr. Decker, Mr. Allan Coates, Mr. Dave Carpenter, Mr. Lou Renner, Mr. Ken Thorsted, Joseph A. Losier. W. E. Carven. Contract F33657-81-C-2154

Statement of Work, LG 81ERO 196, Revised 29 July 1981

Colonel Ronald W. Terry Lessons Learned Project Credible Sport January 1981 paper. QSD Memorandum to SAF, 8 Aug 80 (S) HQ USAF/PA/XO/RD Msg. 072230Z Aug 80 (S) Lockheed Georgia Top Drawing # 3319810

Many organizations participated in CREDIBLE SPORT and directly contributed to its success. They are:

Department of the Army, White Sands Missile Range. Headquarters Department of the Navy, Naval Ordnance Station, Indian Head Maryland. Naval Surface Weapons Center Dahlgren Virginia Naval Weapons Center, China Lake California. Patuxtent River NAS, Maryland. Naval Air Test Center Headquarters, United States Air Force Headquarters Air Force Systems Command Armament Division Aeronautical Systems Division Air Force Wright-Aeronautical Laboratories Air Force Rocket Propulsion laboratory Air Force Human Resources Laboratory Air Force Logistics Command. Tactical Air Command

Jane's published some information regarding these aircraft in 1997 or 1998.

History of the program:

The "CREDIBLE SPORT" PROGRAM.

After the failure of the hostage rescue mission in Iran on April 24, 1980. The Office of the Secretary of Defense Directorate approached Lockheed Georgia to modify 3 C-130 H aircraft for a planned second Hostage Rescue mission to Iran.

In July of 1980 the Air Force was given the task of providing a Quick reaction force response team to manage the OSD program. The QRF Team included the following individuals: General Bart Krawetz, Lt. Col. Terry, Major Pete W. Moates or Coates and Colonel Ken Belden. Who went to Lockheed Georgia and hand picked an engineering team for the "Credible Sport" program. A multi-service Special Operations Forces program.

The "Credible Sport" phase I program was initiated by the OSD directorate and was designed to validate S.T.O.L. approach configuration and associated avionics.

The airframes for CS Phase I were tested in September and October 1980.

The "Credible Sport" I program was a response to a Quick reaction force requirement for heavyweight aircraft, modified for short field, takeoff and landing capability.

The original CS I aircraft was a single point design and only explored a limited portion of the flying envelope. The CS I aircraft were designed for a specific, limited mission.

The Phase I program did not possess the normal margins of safety required for peace time operations.

The following 3 C-130 H airframes were pulled out of active Air Force service inventory and were considered expendable. These airframes were modified from April to August 1980 as follows: To Y M C-130 H configuration.

LOCKHEED # CS, Phase I [C.n.] # 4658 382 c-41 d A.F. Serial Number 74-1683, Airframe #1 Assigned to the 463 Tactical Air Wing Oct 1977 to Sept 1980. Modified to a YMC-130 H configuration for a rescue operation in Iran. With a C-141 in-flight refueling pod, DC-130 type radome. 30 Rockets total (ASROC engines provided by the Navy) pointing Forward and downward on the forward and rear fuselage. This was the first airframe modified. It was tested at WAGNER FIELD Not Duke field Eglin AFB. It flew approximately 4 test flights there. This aircraft crashed at a demonstration on Oct 29, 1980 with, I believe Col. Belden as pilot in command. The airframe was buried at Duke field Eglin AFB after the crash.

CS Phase II [C.n.] # 4669 382 c-41 d 74-1686 Airframe #2 Assigned to the 463 T A W September 1976 to 1980. Modified to Y M C-130 H. 4950 Tactical Air Wing November 1982 to October 1987. Modified for a rescue operation in Iran. Modified as 74-1683. This airframe was used for experimental testing purposes at Warner Robins AFB. These test provided the foundation and prototype testing for the Combat Talon II aircraft. This airframe was DE-modified and given to the Warner Robins museum in March 1988.

[C.n.] # 4667 382 c-41 d 74-2065, Airframe #3 was Assigned to the 463 T A W Oct 1977 to Sept 1980. This airframe was never completely modified to YMC-130H configuration and was used as a test platform for form fit and function of parts. The Rockets were never fitted. This Airframe was DE-modified in November 1984 at Lockheed Ontario. Painted in Lizard Camouflage scheme February 1988. Oct. 1991 assigned to the 773AS to present day.

THE MISSION

These aircraft were to take off from Eglin AFB in Florida; and refuel in-flight on the way to Iran; then land in the Amjadien soccer stadium across the street from the U. S. Embassy in Teheran Iran; with the intention of extracting the American Hostages from the Embassy in Tehran Iran. After rescuing the Hostage these aircraft were to land on a Nimitz size carrier in the Persian Gulf.

These airframes were specially modified to take off and land in a very short distance (specifically the Amjadien or Amjadieh soccer stadium across the street from the U. S. Embassy in Teheran Iran).

Airframe modification included but were not limited to the following modifications:

Take off and landing capability was as follows to make a ground clearance of 90 feet at 600 feet from the starting point as was the case for testing in 1980. The airframe was fitted with an array of 30 Rockets on the airframe. 8 ASROC (Zenith) engines pointing forward in fairings on the fuselage side 8 pointing straight down along the forward fuselage at the wheel wells to cushion the landing and fire approximately 6 inches from the ground for reverse thrust augmentation.

For takeoff 8 ASROC engines provided lift pointing back and down on rear fuselage and 6 smaller rocket engines (Platypus) 2 on each wing pylon mount and 2 on the rear fuselage forward of the beaver tail to prevent over rotation of the airframe.

Horsal (Horsals) fins were installed forward of the Horizontal stabilizers, a Dorsal fin was fitted on the rudder spine, the flaps were double slotted, and the ailerons were extended. An In-flight refueling pod from a C-141, was installed on the fuselage center line. A tail hook was fitted forward of the rear cargo door; for the planned carrier landing.

Avionics modifications were as follows: A DC-130 type radome with a F.L.I.R. turret was installed on the nose. This F.L.I.R. turret was slaved to the on board computer and in combination with the F.L.I.R. telemetry and mission avionics fired the forward pointing rockets 20 feet above the ground. 30 Rockets were installed on the airframe. 8 ASROC (Zenith) engines pointing forward in fairings on the fuselage side; 8 pointing straight down to cushion the landing by the wheel wells and fire approx. 6 to 12 inches above the ground. For takeoff 8 ASROC engines provided lift pointing backwards and down on the side of the fuselage, with 6 smaller rocket engines (Platypus) 2 on each wing pylon mount and 2 on the rear fuselage under the beaver tail to prevent over rotation of the airframe.

Credible Sport II Phase I 24 August to 11 November 1981. The purpose of CS II was to satisfy prototype test requirements for Combat Talon II avionics and unique airframe modifications. The vehicle being tested for CS II program is configured as the end configuration from the CS I project.

The STOL capability would allow CT II aircraft to operate from landing zones of 1500 feet or less (over a 50-ft obstacle) at 140,000 gross weight.

To provide 1500 foot landing capability, CT-II would be configured with aerodynamic modifications including horsal and dorsal fins, double slotted flaps, and extended ailerons -- no reverse thrust augmentation is required to meet the 1500-ft criteria. The 1500-ft takeoff capability would require some thrust augmentation. The thrust augmentation would entail a proven low-risk development effort.

Phase II testing ended in 1986 or 87.

The HTTB Program

As a result of the Data gathered from the Credible Sport program, in February 1984 the HTTB program was established. In June 1984 a L-100-20 N130X was modified as the HTTB. Some of the engineering and experience gained from the CS Phase 1,2 programs were incorporated into the design of the HTTB; I.E. enlarged ailerons Horsal (Horsals) fins a Dorsal fin and double slotted-flaps, and S.T.O.L. telemetry and avionics instrumentation. On February 3, 1993 the HTTB Crashed at Dobbins AFB GA. During a high speed ground test run, it lifted off, veered left and crashed.

[edit] Trivia

  • Footage of the crash landing at Duke Field has become publicly available in recent years, sourced from a United States Air Force briefing film.

[edit] Sources

  • Foreign Invaders - The Douglas Invader in foreign military and US clandestine service, by Dan Hagedorn and Leif Hellström, Midland Publishing Limited, Earl Shilton, Leicester, 1994 (Operation Millpond chapter, p.133, for CIA use of Duke Field) ISBN 1-85780-013-3
  • The Praetorian Starship: The Untold Story of the Combat Talon. Jerry L. Thigpen, Air University Press, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, December 2001.

[edit] External links