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The Iraqis
had positioned radar and monitoring equipment on the Al-Bakr
and Al-Omayeh oil rigs in the northern part of the Persian
Gulf, because a large number of Iranian air operations were
routed from near these installations. As a result, a combined
air/sea operation, code-named Morvarid (Pearl), was initiated
by Iranian Navy Task Force 421 on November 28, 1980, to neutralize
these two platforms.
An Iranian La Combatant II missile-equipped fast patrol craft,
named Peykan, engaged Iraqi surface vessels and aircraft,
and called for air support when the situation got out of its
control. Two F-4Es, each carrying four AGM-65A Maverick missiles,
were scrambled and flew at 400kts and 20-50ft (6-15m) above
the sea, increasing speed and altitude to 500kts and 4,000ft
(1,200m) once over the area. Seven Iraqi vessels were destroyed
with Mavericks in two waves, although Peykan too was finally
sunk with an Iraqi Styx missile.
Iran had purchased about 2,850 AGM-65As prior to the Islamic
Revolution. As well as being used against sea targets, they
were also carried to destroy bridges.
During the early phase of the war there were few IRIAF pilots,
for example only two at Bushehr AB, who were trained and rated
for firing Mavericks. Many pilots had to practice locking-on
and firing the missiles during real combat missions.
Operation Morvarid Linked to IIN
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