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On 3 July 1988, during the Iran–Iraq War, the USS Vincennes launches missiles which bring down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 people on board. The crew of the Vincennes claimed that they mistook the airliner for an Iranian Air Force Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter, but Iran believes that the U.S. deliberately shot it down.
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00:02July, 1988.
00:05A U.S. Navy cruiser is battling Iranian gunboats in the Persian Gulf.
00:11Suddenly, its radar picks up a mystery aircraft.
00:14Is this plane friend or foe?
00:16They have seven minutes to decide.
00:19As the aircraft draws ever closer, the pressure mounts.
00:26And the captain is faced with a terrible choice.
00:30Shoot it down or risk the lives of his own crew.
01:01It's a routine short-haul flight, but an Iranian passenger jet is heading into mortal danger.
01:07It's opening fire with guns.
01:10It's approaching a war zone in which a U.S. Navy ship is engaged in combat.
01:16The crew are on a state of high alert.
01:18Anything that draws near is seen as a threat.
01:21Air contact still inbound, increasing speed and descending range of 11 miles.
01:24United States naval warship.
01:26Closing and descending 1,000.
01:27Now you're in real serious business.
01:29You are standing into danger.
01:31Wait a minute.
01:31I could be dead.
01:33Range 13 miles.
01:35The aircraft is not responding to warnings.
01:41Iran Air 655 seems oblivious to the danger.
02:01In 1988, Iran and Iraq have reached a stalemate in a savage eight-year conflict.
02:07It's a war of attrition, and both sides' oil exports are a target.
02:13The United States has become the chief watchdog of the Persian Gulf.
02:18Over 30 U.S. warships protect neutral tankers.
02:24Dawn, July 3rd.
02:27After a month on routine patrol, the USS Vincennes is heading towards port in Bahrain.
02:32Her crew are due a few days' rest and recuperation.
02:39But while his men are looking forward to the July the 4th break, Captain Will Rogers is already up.
02:45He's received disturbing reports from U.S. intelligence,
02:49warning him to expect trouble from Iranian forces over this holiday weekend.
03:01In the Vincennes Combat Information Center, the watch officer has received an urgent message from another ship in the U
03:08.S. fleet
03:09that Iranian gunboats are harassing a Pakistani merchant vessel.
03:14Skipper, you better come down. Sounds like the Montgomery's got her nose in a beehive.
03:18I'll be right there.
03:20The frigate USS Elmer Montgomery is north of the Vincennes near the narrow strait of Hormuz.
03:26It's here that Iranian gunboats have been most active in attacking oil tankers as they exit the Persian Gulf.
03:35Designed to protect an aircraft carrier group, the Vincennes is a billion-dollar Aegis cruiser.
03:41It's armed with Mark 26 missile launchers, harpoon anti-ship missiles,
03:47two 5-inch guns and the phalanx close-in weapon system which fires over 3,000 rounds a minute.
03:58But what makes the ship so special is its high-tech radar.
04:02The phased array SPY-1 can simultaneously search and track over 100 targets over 300 kilometers away.
04:15To crew members like Mike Zunino and Mark Nielsen, the Vincennes is simply Star Wars at sea.
04:23I was very proud.
04:25Just technically, it just felt like a strong, secure ship to be on.
04:30It felt invincible in a way.
04:33We had some of the most up-to-date weaponry and the radar and everything else.
04:39There wasn't a whole lot that we couldn't do.
04:42Inside the Combat Information Center, Captain Rogers oversees a state-of-the-art computerized command and control system.
04:49His large-screen displays give him an instant picture of the tactical situation.
04:58Lieutenant Commander Vic Guillory is the tactical action officer responsible for surface warfare.
05:04Vic, what do we got on visual?
05:06We've got a cluster of bog hammers here near the Montgomery.
05:09Another cluster may be closing a merchant vessel.
05:11Over a dozen Iranian bog hammer gunboats appear to be preparing to attack a merchant ship.
05:20Bog hammers are the generic name for fast speedboats, manned by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, a fundamentalist paramilitary force.
05:28We knew that they had rockets.
05:31We knew that they had machine guns.
05:33We knew that if they got within certain range that they could, you know, literally fire off their rockets and
05:40cause grave danger.
05:43In 1988, Iranian forces have been attacking up to 13 foreign tankers per month.
05:49Their aim is to prevent Saddam Hussein from exporting Iraqi oil.
05:54Captain Rogers sends his helicopter, callsign Ocean Lord, to investigate just what the gunboats are up to.
06:00Roger that.
06:01Vincenzo out.
06:03Factory in Ocean Lord.
06:07Ocean Lord is a Sikorsky Seahawk, a twin-engine helicopter designed for reconnaissance, anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.
06:17Roger, Trinity Sword.
06:18We read you.
06:19Factory in toward Montgomery now.
06:21Ocean Lord's pilot soon finds the gunboats.
06:24They're not acting suspiciously.
06:29But he flies too close to the Iranian craft.
06:33The response is immediate.
06:35A burst of anti-aircraft fire.
06:38Jesus.
06:39Trinity Lord, this is Ocean Lord 2-5.
06:41We are taking fire.
06:44Executing evasion.
06:45Clearing.
06:452-5, this is Trinity Sword Actual.
06:47Is anyone hurt?
06:48Confirm hostile fire.
06:50Over.
06:51Trinity Sword, no injuries.
06:53We confirm eight to ten rounds of air burst from the northernmost group of Iranian small craft.
06:58Over.
07:00Ocean Lord, this is Trinity Sword Actual.
07:02Return immediately to Vincenzo's cover.
07:04Close Ocean Lord's position at best speed.
07:07Bearing 3-3-0.
07:08Under the U.S. rules of engagement, Captain Rogers is allowed to respond with force in self-defense.
07:133-3-0.
07:13Full speed.
07:16By chance, a Navy media crew is on the bridge filming as the ship surges north at over 30 knots.
07:25Captain Rogers is now heading for a lethal confrontation with the Iranian gunboats.
07:29It will be the Vincenzo's first time in action.
07:32The outcome will be catastrophic.
07:39July 3rd, 1988.
07:41The USS Vincenzo powers north towards the Strait of Hormuz.
07:46Another U.S. ship has reported aggressive activity by Iranian gunboats.
07:51Those boats have already fired on the Vincenzo's helicopter.
07:54Jesus!
07:58Captain Will Rogers III has been in the Gulf for just over a month.
08:02But he's already established a reputation as a commander who is prepared to take robust action.
08:07His ship is nicknamed the Robocruiser.
08:10The deck's set, general quarters.
08:15Meanwhile, some 87 kilometers away at Iran's Banda Abbas airport,
08:20Iran Air Flight 655 is waiting to push back
08:23for a routine 28-minute hop across the Strait of Hormuz to Dubai.
08:2837-year-old Mohsen Rassayan is the captain.
08:32His brother, Hussain, knows he's dedicated to the job.
08:35655, standing by for ATC clearance.
08:38He was very enjoying what he was doing.
08:42He really liked it.
08:43He was logging so many hours, over 10,000 hours of flight.
08:49Request update on status of IRC.
08:51Captain Rassayan's flight is delayed.
08:53It's 27 minutes behind schedule, due to a passenger with immigration problems.
08:58The hold-up will soon confuse the crew of Vincenzo,
09:01despite all their sophisticated technology.
09:07On the bridge, a Navy media crew continues to film
09:10as the Vincenzo closes within striking distance of the Iranian Boghammer gunboats.
09:23Even though his helicopter has already been shot at,
09:27Captain Rogers only has the authority to open fire
09:29if he believes his ship is under direct threat.
09:32In the Gulf haze, it's hard to see just what the gunboats are doing.
09:36One appears to be going to have to starboard, and one's in the middle.
09:39I'm just off the starboard balance. Machine gun on it.
09:42But Captain Rogers doesn't have to wait for the gunboats to open fire.
09:46If they behave aggressively, that's reason enough for him to take the first shot.
09:52We're coming inbound fast. One at 350's inbound.
09:57This is Vincenzo. Request permission to engage Boghammer Group.
10:01The service commander for the Gulf is on board his ship in Bahrain.
10:06Captain Richard McKenna has no hesitation in granting permission.
10:11Vincenzo, this is Gulf Sierra. Take Boghammer Group with guns.
10:15The rules of engagement at that juncture were quite clear,
10:18and so there was no question as to what was required at that juncture.
10:23I say again, take Boghammer Group with guns, over.
10:26Gulf Sierra, this is Vincenzo, opening fire with guns.
10:30Assumed hostile track 4, 4, 5, 6.
10:33Vincenzo, out. You can fire for effect.
10:43It's 9.43 a.m.
10:45A routine encounter in the Persian Gulf has become deadly serious.
10:56This is the first time that the crew of the Vincennes have ever seen action.
11:02Combat was, you know, that was the furthest thing probably from any of us,
11:05even though we were a combat ship.
11:06It was one of those things, it's like, it'll never happen to us, but yet it did.
11:15The gunboats are now shooting back, but their fire is falling well short.
11:20The Vincennes and the Montgomery take them on together.
11:23Verify me, rounds to the train.
11:25The Vincennes and the Montgomery are now locked in a full-scale sea battle.
11:29Anything that approaches the U.S. ships will be assessed as a possible threat.
11:34Battery released, 10 rounds. Weapons.
11:38Lieutenant Commander Scott Lustig is the officer responsible
11:42for alerting the captain to potential airborne threats.
11:45He's been tracking an aircraft that has suddenly changed course
11:49and is now heading towards the Vincennes.
11:514, 4, 7, 2, Iranian P-3, range 62 miles.
11:56The plane has been identified as an Iranian P-3 Orion,
12:00a long-range maritime surveillance aircraft.
12:06In a well-rehearsed procedure,
12:08the Vincennes warns the P-3 on a military frequency that he's being tracked.
12:132, 7, 0. This is United States Naval Warship.
12:15Request you state your intentions.
12:30U.S. Warship, this is Iranian Papa 3.
12:33Our intention is search mission.
12:35We keep clear of your units.
12:40The pilot promises to keep his distance,
12:42but Captain Rogers knows the P-3 is still watching him on radar.
12:47He's concerned that it could call in an Iranian airstrike.
12:51This battle is becoming more dangerous by the minute.
12:54I want rounds in the trade.
12:56Give me a firing solution for that northernmost group of bog hammers.
12:59Scott, keep me updated on the P-3.
13:04Meanwhile, with all his passengers finally on board,
13:08Captain Rezaian is ready to depart.
13:10Taxi V-A5 is open.
13:12Iran Air 655.
13:13On the 3rd of July, there are 10 civilian flights scheduled from Bandar Abbas.
13:17But the Iranian Air Force also uses this airport.
13:21U.S. intelligence has warned that the recent transfer of F-14 fighters here represents an increased threat.
13:28Have a nice flight.
13:30655 clear for takeoff.
13:31Captain Rezaian has no way of knowing that Iran Air 655 is heading directly towards a raging sea battle.
13:42Within seconds of liftoff, the Vincennes detects flight 655.
13:49Sophisticated as the radar is, it cannot determine the size or type of aircraft.
13:54Identification Supervisor Anderson begins a routine to establish whether the aircraft is a friend or foe.
14:01His first step is to use a system called IFF.
14:05All large aircraft have IFF.
14:08They all have identification friend or foe.
14:10Every aircraft has its own code, and you're able to look up that code and say,
14:14OK, it does give you more information.
14:18Anderson sets out to identify the IFF signal of this incoming track.
14:23At the press of a button, an electronic pulse radiates into the atmosphere.
14:31And aircraft transponders automatically bounce back an electronic reply,
14:35squawking the signature modes and codes that reveal whether the aircraft is a friend or foe.
14:41Modes 1, 2, and 4 indicate military aircraft.
14:46Iran Air 655 has squawked mode 3.
14:49Everybody has mode 3.
14:51So that alone doesn't identify a non-hostile aircraft.
14:57It could be civilian, it could be military.
15:01As a military aircraft could conceal its identity by squawking mode 3,
15:06Anderson's next step is to consult a commercial air schedule.
15:09He looks to see if there's a passenger flight due to depart from Bandar Abbas at this time.
15:17But he finds nothing.
15:19Unidentified Iranian aircraft on course 203, speed 303 knots, altitude 4,000 feet.
15:25This is United States...
15:26So the Vincennes now tries to contact the plane directly on a military distress frequency.
15:3140 miles from you, you are approaching United States naval warship and international waters.
15:35Request you state your intentions. Over.
15:42But there's no response.
15:45For all its state-of-the-art technology, the Vincennes doesn't have a radio tuned to civil air traffic control
15:51frequencies.
15:57So the only option left is for the ship to call the mystery aircraft on the civilian international air distress
16:03frequency.
16:04You are approaching a United States naval warship. Request you remain clear.
16:10But there's still no answer from flight 655.
16:15With the incoming plane closing in on the Vincennes at 8 kilometers every minute,
16:20Anderson is now alarmed to discover its IFF signal appears to have changed.
16:26The plane is squawking both mode 3 and mode 2, 1100.
16:30When Anderson consults his code list, he makes a disturbing discovery.
16:36The 1100 suggests that this plane could be an Iranian F-14 fighter.
16:45All stations, IDS. I have a possible mode 2 on track 4131-1100, which breaks as an F-14.
16:55Possible mode 2. Breaking as an F-14.
16:58I repeat, incoming mode 2.
17:00Anderson's words spread like wildfire throughout the CIC.
17:04The aircraft is now labeled as an F-14 fighter on the tactical displays in front of Captain Rogers.
17:1348 kilometers away, the Airbus, with its 290 passengers, climbs out over the Persian Gulf.
17:20They have no idea that they've been misidentified and are flying into danger.
17:27An Iranian passenger jet heading for Dubai is unknowingly flying directly towards a U.S. warship engaged in battle in
17:35the Strait of Hormuz.
17:41On board the USS Vincennes, identification supervisor Anderson thinks the airliner is an Iranian fighter jet.
17:49Zero, which breaks as an F-14.
17:52Possible mode 2.
17:53In the combat information center, Flight 655 is now labeled as a hostile F-14.
17:59In the 1970s, the U.S. sold 80 F-14s to their then ally, the Shah of Iran.
18:05They are the most up-to-date fighter in the Iranian Air Force.
18:09The Vincennes crew think they're under attack.
18:13My heartbeat was way up.
18:14My blood pressure was way up.
18:15It was like, wow.
18:17I mean, the adrenaline was just flowing.
18:20Lieutenant Commander Scott Lustig is Captain William Rogers' anti-air warfare coordinator.
18:26With the incoming plane only 45 kilometers away, he seeks permission from headquarters to shoot it down if it comes
18:33too close.
18:34My intention is to engage at 20 nautical miles if he does not turn away.
18:38Do you concur?
18:39Over.
18:39You should move on aircraft first, then take it under fire.
18:43You start crossing 20 miles and that's an absolute threat to the ship.
18:47You're out there in the middle of the ocean.
18:50It's serious business.
18:53The pressure on Captain Rogers is mounting.
18:56But at this critical moment, just when he should be focusing on this new threat,
19:01his attention is drawn back to the battle with the gunboats.
19:04We've got a foul bore down here.
19:06Captain, we have a situation with Mount 51.
19:09In the midst of combat, the Vincennes forward 5-inch gun has jammed.
19:17Full rudder turn.
19:18Bridge, CIC.
19:20Hard to pour.
19:21Steady ship's course, 280 degrees, maintain speed.
19:25That's 25 knots.
19:30Rogers is forced to turn his ship at high speed,
19:33swinging the cruiser's rear gun around to face the incoming fire.
19:40Right standard.
19:41Right standard.
19:42289.
19:48The ship leans, so
19:51if anything was not tied down, it, of course, went everywhere.
19:57It went sliding off, up against the wall.
20:00It turned sharp enough that if you were standing,
20:03you had to hold on to something to keep from falling over.
20:05Bring that gun to bear now.
20:10As Captain Rogers struggles to keep the gunboats engaged,
20:14Captain Rezaian is busy with the routines of climbing to cruising altitude.
20:18AFIR 58, Dubai 0715.
20:21Confirm you are squawking 6760.
20:27Affirmative.
20:29Confirmation that his aircraft is transmitting the correct civilian IFF code,
20:34so that it can be easily identified on radar.
20:40In the Vincennes Combat Information Center,
20:43Lieutenant William Mountford sees that the approaching plane
20:45is now squawking a Mode 3 IFF response.
20:52He thinks it may not be a military aircraft after all.
20:58Sir, possible calm air.
21:01Captain Rogers acknowledges the warning,
21:03but he's still concerned by the plane's failure to respond.
21:07The aircraft was warned.
21:09It's warned a number of times.
21:11Continued to close.
21:13Time is a demon here.
21:14If I have long time to sort things out,
21:17you're going to take more time to look at this
21:19and more time to look at that.
21:23As Flight 655 crosses the critical 37-kilometre threshold,
21:28the Vincennes warns it once again to alter course or risk the consequences.
21:330-1, 20 miles from you.
21:34You are standing into danger
21:35and may be subject to United States defensive measures.
21:39Request you remain clear of me.
21:41Captain Rogers now has the authority to shoot the plane down.
21:45Captain, do you wish to engage at 20 miles?
21:51Captain, do you wish to engage the target at 20 miles?
22:05Captain, do you wish to engage the target at 20 miles?
22:11Negative.
22:13Captain Rogers has delayed firing,
22:15hoping that the plane will finally respond to the Vincennes' warnings.
22:19But what happens next destroys that faint hope.
22:24Petty Officer Leach is the Vincennes' tactical information coordinator.
22:29He's responsible for ensuring that all air contacts are properly tracked.
22:34What he reports now seems to remove any doubts.
22:38This is a hostile aircraft.
22:40Altitude declining.
22:42They see the plane diving towards them,
22:44a classic attack profile.
22:46Now you're in real serious business
22:49because anything can happen at that point.
22:53Whether that aircraft might launch something at you,
22:57it could be the aircraft itself.
22:5815 miles, that's pretty close and pretty serious.
23:02Iranian aircraft on course 2-1-1.
23:05Track 4-1-3-1 approaching 13 nautical miles.
23:08United States naval warship operating in international waters.
23:11Wait a minute, I could be dead.
23:16The tension is just continually rising during this whole time.
23:26Everybody was on edge.
23:27Everybody was like, oh my God, oh my God, what's going to happen next?
23:30Subject to United States defense measures.
23:32Inbound air contact closing and descending 1,000 feet per mile.
23:39Range 13 miles.
23:41Oh my God, it's getting closer, it's getting closer.
23:43What's the captain going to do?
23:44What's going to happen?
23:46You know, what are they going to do?
23:50Iran Air 655 now signs off with Bandar Abbas air traffic control.
23:558.4, have a nice flight.
23:57Thank you, good day.
23:59Good day.
24:05God damn it, he's getting close.
24:08Mark, incoming bog hammer.
24:10Barron 042.
24:13Air contact still inbound, increasing speed and descending range 11 miles.
24:20Captain Rogers' worst fear is that the Vincennes might face the same fate as another ship, the USS Stark.
24:28A year earlier, an Iraqi fighter launched two Exocet missiles at it.
24:3337 sailors were killed and the ship nearly lost.
24:41An inquiry blamed the incident on failures in command.
24:44The Stark had not defended itself.
24:47Its captain was reprimanded and allowed to resign from the Navy.
24:53Captain, air contact still inbound, increasing speed and descending range 11 miles.
25:00Captain Rogers isn't about to make the same mistake.
25:06It's the moment of truth.
25:08Captain Rogers turns his fire authorization key.
25:19Take order, track 4-1-3-1.
25:24Do I have a take order on the contact?
25:26Yes, take.
25:28Take order.
25:36Take order.
25:41Birds away.
25:43Rails clear.
25:49Iranian aircraft on course 209, speed 353 knots.
25:53As the final warning goes out on the military air distress frequency,
25:57Rogers keeps his finger on the hold fire button
25:59so he can destroy the missiles if the aircraft finally responds.
26:19Estimate 10 seconds to intercept.
26:49All right, we're on it.
26:53Up on the bridge, the crew has confirmed the kill.
27:02The plane they believed was attacking them has been destroyed.
27:09Captain Rogers thinks he has saved his ship from destruction.
27:15Nothing could be further from the truth.
27:18Far from saving his crew, Rogers has just made a decision that will shock the world.
27:30Goddammit, he's getting close.
27:34At the height of a naval battle with Iranian gunboats in the Persian Gulf,
27:38the USS Vincennes has detected an incoming aircraft.
27:42Take order, track, 4-1, 3-1.
27:43In the ship's combat information center, that plane has been misidentified as an Iranian F-14 fighter.
27:50After the plane has failed to respond to warnings, Captain William Rogers has shot it down.
28:03But Rogers has made a fatal mistake.
28:06He's destroyed an Iranian passenger jet, flying in an international air corridor.
28:13290 passengers and crew are dead.
28:18Iranian television broadcasts distressing footage of their bodies floating in the Gulf.
28:26For Captain Rogers, the burden is heavy.
28:29Whatever mistakes have been made, he bears the ultimate responsibility.
28:42But for the victims' families, it's worse.
28:45Captain Rezaian's elder brother, Hussein, tries to identify his remains in a temporary mortuary in Bandar Abbas.
28:53Really, I shattered our family, especially his kids, his wife, my parents, which are still living.
29:08And there is not a day that they don't talk about this, of what happened, why it should have happened.
29:19There's an immediate international outcry.
29:22The world wants to know how a cruiser with a state-of-the-art combat system could have mistaken a
29:27passenger airliner for an attacking Iranian fighter.
29:33Captain, do you swear that the evidence you are giving in this matter, now an investigation...
29:37The U.S. government appoints Rear Admiral William Fogarty to conduct an inquiry to find out what went wrong.
29:43My first reaction was, it was a tragedy.
29:47The thing that stuck the most to me was, you've got a lot of responsibilities ahead of you, Fogarty, and
29:54probably some sleepless nights.
29:56And nothing but the truth, so help you God.
29:58I do.
29:59The inquiry is conducted in accord with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
30:04The stakes are high.
30:07Investigative journalist Roger Charles is a former Marine officer who's examined the story.
30:12You're looking at a guy who's on top of the world.
30:15He's the captain of the billion-dollar Aegis cruiser.
30:20And now he's sitting at a table facing a possible court-martial and, you know, even prison time.
30:29Admiral Fogarty's team now scrutinizes the actions of the Vincennes crew in forensic detail.
30:36When Flight 655 first appears on radar, the USS Vincennes is in the midst of a battle with Iranian gunboats.
30:44All aircraft within a radius of 100 kilometers are monitored to ensure they do not pose a threat.
30:51So identification supervisor Anderson starts by checking his commercial air schedule to determine if this is a passenger flight.
31:00But he's confused.
31:01The schedule lists departures in local time, but Anderson is unsure whether that means the time in Bandar Abbas or
31:09Bahrain time, which is used on the ship.
31:12You have the almost 30-minute delay caused by the late departure of IRR-655 due to a passenger with
31:20a visa problem.
31:21Then you have the 30-minute different time zone.
31:26So he looks at it and he's seen there's nobody within an hour scheduled to be over us.
31:32The IFF system is supposed to distinguish friend from foe.
31:37Admiral Fogarty knows it's critical to establish how the Vincennes could have confused a commercial airliner squawking mode 3 with
31:45a fighter emitting mode 2.
32:00From intelligence, Fogarty discovers that as Flight 655 prepares for takeoff, an Iranian F-14 is also on the tarmac
32:09at Bandar Abbas.
32:11It now appears that although Anderson rolls his ball tab to hook Flight 655 as it takes off, he leaves
32:19it hooked for almost 90 seconds.
32:22So although the hook symbol moves towards the Vincennes, the system is still reading IFF signals from the airport at
32:29Bandar Abbas.
32:31It's a human error caused by poor design on this high-tech warship.
32:37He left the ball tab on Bandar Abbas.
32:40So what we believe happened, and I'm pretty sure this is exactly what happened,
32:46he picked up the mode 2 of the Iranian fighter that was getting ready for takeoff behind the Airbus.
32:57The identification of an F-14 appears to confirm intelligence, warning Captain Rogers to anticipate trouble over the July 4th
33:05weekend.
33:06He now believes the aircraft is part of a coordinated strike on the Vincennes from both sea and air.
33:18Sir, possible calm air.
33:21So he places less weight on the warning that the incoming plane is possibly a commercial airliner.
33:27Do you recall Lieutenant Montfort saying, calm air, calm air?
33:32I absolutely remember him telling me that, and I think I raised my hand or something to that effect to
33:38indicate that I'd heard him.
33:40You held up your decision to fire?
33:42Yes, sir.
33:43Why?
33:44I wanted every bit of information I could get.
33:48IFF was an indicator, but I didn't care whether 1100 was an F-14 or that Falker that flies around
33:54out there.
33:55But at this point, I thought, they always talk to us.
34:02Iranian aircraft on course 2-1-1.
34:05The Vincennes transmits a total of 10 radio warnings.
34:08Why does Flight 655 never respond?
34:11What we do know for sure is the aircraft did not respond to the warnings.
34:16He had to have something, he being the command officer, as proof that this was commercial air.
34:23He never got that.
34:25Unidentified Iranian aircraft on course 2-0.
34:28But the Vincennes transmits seven warnings on a military frequency that Flight 655 cannot receive.
34:34The Airbus did not even have a radio that was set or could accept the military air distress frequency.
34:43I mean, it's just not something they had.
34:45They had no need for it.
34:46They were a commercial airplane.
34:49The Vincennes broadcasts only three warnings on the civil distress frequency.
34:54But they don't clearly identify exactly who the ship is trying to contact.
35:00Unidentified aircraft on course 2-1-0.
35:03Speed 3-5-0.
35:05Altitude...
35:06The Vincennes radio talkers are sighting the aircraft's ground speed.
35:09Bearing 2-0-1, 20 miles from you.
35:12You are standing into danger and may be subject to United States defensive measures.
35:16But Captain Rezion's instruments show airspeed, a relative measurement.
35:22Flight 655's indicated airspeed could have been 50 knots slower than the 350-knot ground speed cited by the Vincennes.
35:30So if the pilot hears that, well, who are they talking to?
35:33They're not...
35:33They haven't identified us.
35:34They must be talking to maybe the P-3 or maybe some other Iranian aircraft.
35:41Throughout its flight, Iran Air 655 transmits its squawk code.
35:46The unique label that tells radars what flight it is.
35:51If the Vincennes had called out that squawk code, Captain Rezion could have known immediately they were talking to him.
35:58But the U.S. Navy does not require its radio operators to use this code when talking to civilian aircraft.
36:06As Flight 655 nears his ship...
36:09Captain, do you wish to engage at 20 miles?
36:11...the pressure on Captain Rogers becomes intense.
36:14Captain, do you wish to engage the target at 20 miles?
36:19When you look at the time window that he had, he waited till the very last minute.
36:25And it becomes a point of, am I going to shoot or am I not going to shoot and wait?
36:33In which case, he would not be following his responsibilities to protect his ship and his crew.
36:44The decisive factor in Captain Rogers' decision to fire are the reports he receives that the plane is descending towards
36:51him, apparently about to attack.
36:53Altitude declining.
36:55It's the crucial moment.
36:56The inquiry team presses Tactical Information Coordinator Leach on his call.
37:02Okay, were you reporting descending elevations over the net?
37:06Over the internal net? Yes, sir.
37:08So, in other words, when you saw that track, that aircraft start descending, you were reporting that up to TAO,
37:15CO, Gulf Whiskey?
37:17Yes, sir.
37:19Like an aircraft's black box, the Vincennes computers have recorded all the data on the Combat Information Center's screens.
37:26Those records show that Iran Air 655 had never descended.
37:31It was, in fact, ascending the whole time.
37:36That was a revelation that we had not anticipated.
37:43Altitude declining.
37:44Is it possible, is it possible, that somebody, although the data showed perhaps that it was going up, would say
37:55it's going down, descending?
37:58Fogarty sends a medical team, including a psychiatrist, to the Vincennes.
38:03They report that a condition called scenario fulfillment could have played a part in the tragedy.
38:10Rage 13 miles!
38:11And as it turns out, where you believe something so badly is going to happen, that whether the data shows
38:18you it's not the case, you believe it's happening.
38:23Had those in command on that day checked their monitors, they would have seen that Flight 655 was not diving
38:29in a classic attack profile, but was continuing its steady climb.
38:34Yet no one thought to do so.
38:36Well, Scott, we have this disparity between what the data indicates happened and what the people said they saw at
38:43their various altitudes.
38:45Any idea why?
38:47Well, sir, the disparity baffles me.
38:50I've thought about this for many days now, and I came to the realization that this data to me doesn't
38:56mean anything,
38:57because I reacted to people I had operated with who were reliable.
39:02So Lieutenant Commander Lustig trusts his men's judgment, and Captain Rogers trusts Lieutenant Commander Lustig's.
39:10My confidence in Lieutenant Commander Lustig confirmed to me that the aircraft was, in fact, a threat.
39:17At nine miles, I felt I could no longer delay defensive action.
39:22I granted fire and permission.
39:25When I looked at the timeline that he had to make a decision, and the information he was given upon
39:30which to make that decision,
39:32it was my feeling, to this day I still feel the same way, that he made the right decision.
39:40With the main thing in his mind, I don't want my ship to get hit.
39:54Take order, track, 4-1-3-1.
39:58The Vincennes' sophisticated combat information system gives its crew accurate information,
40:03but their fear has created a threat where none exists.
40:12After a month, Admiral Fogarty's investigation is over.
40:16He finds that the downing of Iran Air 655 was not the result of any negligent or culpable conduct by
40:22any U.S. naval personnel.
40:26Captain Rogers acted in a prudent manner, given the information available to him
40:30and the short time frame in which he had to make his critical decision.
40:35Fogarty says Iran must share the responsibility for hazarding one of their civilian airliners in close proximity to hostilities.
40:46The U.S. government publishes an edited version of Admiral Fogarty's inquiry,
40:51but it has concealed one key fact from the world.
40:55That fact will cast a whole new light on the tragedy of Iran Air Flight 655.
41:06In August 1988, a detailed inquiry by Admiral William Fogarty into the shooting down of Iran Air 655
41:14concludes that the captain and crew of the USS Vincennes acted properly in the face of what they believed was
41:20a threat to their ship.
41:28But investigative journalist Roger Charles is not convinced.
41:32He reads a copy of the Fogarty inquiry and wonders why it contains no map showing the Vincennes' position.
41:39I knew the fact that there was no such chart in the Fogarty report, again, was a signal, a curious
41:46signal to me.
41:47Why is it not there?
41:49Skipper, you better come down.
41:50Sounds like the Montgomery's got her nose in a beehive.
41:52I'll be right there.
41:53When Captain Rogers first hears that Iranian gunboats are harassing merchant shipping,
41:58the Vincennes is well south of the Montgomery and destined for port in Bahrain.
42:03Gulf Sierra, this is Vincennes. Request permission to support USS Montgomery against surface contacts. Over.
42:11Rogers asks Captain Richard McKenna, his surface commander, for permission to turn north to support the Montgomery.
42:17But McKenna only authorizes him to send his helicopter to investigate.
42:21Roger that. Vincennes out.
42:23Factory in, Ocean Lord.
42:27But Captain McKenna is later startled to discover that the Vincennes has turned around and has closed on the Montgomery's
42:34position.
42:35He orders him to leave the helicopter in place and turn back immediately.
42:41My own personal opinion is it really did feel that they were looking for action when they went to see
42:49the Elmer Montgomery.
42:52My own feeling is that the situation was not out of control.
42:56It was really my call.
42:59And yet, even though they were assigned another station, they took it upon themselves to be there.
43:06And to that extent, I feel that, you know, I mean, that's where the general feeling, and not just my
43:15own, comes that maybe they were looking for trouble.
43:21Jesus!
43:22Trinita Lord, this is Ocean Lord, 2-5, we are taking place!
43:25But once the Iranian gunboats fired upon the Vincennes helicopter, the situation changed.
43:30Close Ocean Lord's position at best speed.
43:33The rules of engagement now allow Captain Rogers to respond with force.
43:37General quarters, officer of the...
43:38He's now authorized to head off in hot pursuit of the gunboats.
43:41But where does that lead him?
43:45In 1990, Roger Charles obtains a copy of a restricted report on the destruction of Iran Air 655 by the
43:53International Civil Aviation Organization.
43:57It gives the Vincennes coordinates.
44:00When Charles plots them on a chart, he makes a startling discovery.
44:05At the time of the shoot-down, the Vincennes is over 4 kilometers inside Iranian territorial waters.
44:11By chasing the gunboats back into Iranian territory, Rogers inadvertently places his ship directly in the flight path of Iran
44:19Air 655.
44:22The President hold the ship, crossing the Iranian-declared war zone line.
44:26If Rogers had not taken the Vincennes up to attack the gunboats, there would have been no shoot-down of
44:33IR 655.
44:35I mean, that's clear.
44:36There would have been no ongoing surface action.
44:40Rogers would have had his radar screen set for the air side of things.
44:45The focus would have only been on the air picture.
44:48They would have had plenty of time to make a proper determination that this was a commercial airliner.
44:58Despite the tragedy, the crew of the Vincennes receive a hero's welcome on their return to port in San Diego.
45:07Captain, do you wish to engage the target at 20 miles?
45:13Lieutenant Commander Scott Lustig is awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for his ability to maintain his poise and confidence under
45:20fire.
45:21Take order. Track 4-1-3-1.
45:25Captain Rogers receives the Legion of Merit for his performance as commanding officer of the Vincennes.
45:31Both men have since retired from the Navy.
45:37Every year, the families of those who died on Iran Air 655 commemorate their loss in the Persian Gulf.
45:56For Hussein Rezaian, the brother of Flight 655's captain, time has not healed the wounds.
46:03I still feel the same way, although I try to keep myself busy, not to think about it, because it's
46:10still, I mean, it's an unforgettable human tragedy.
46:17Even after 17 years passed, the horrors of what went on in that day, you know, still lingers on in
46:32everybody's life.
46:35In a world where technology grows ever more sophisticated, fear, the most basic of human instincts, can create the greatest
46:44tragedies.
46:55To the end of the day, you have a great man from the country.
47:09Otherwise, he will be the biggest change in the country.