Air Force Special Emergency Service Flight (AFSESF) "Operation Eagle"
During 1979 - 1980, Americans were held hostage in the United States Embassy, Tehran, Iran. The Shah of Iran was deposed and President James Carter granted him temporary asylum in the United States. Since the shah's health was a major problem, the president decided to provide health care at the Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas. The Air Force Security Police had been forming, training and equipping a"flight size" special operations emergency service unit. The flight was composed of hand picked Security Police academy instructors. Flight members completed rigorous physical screening and attended numerous military, federal and civilian tactical and special operations courses. An AFOSI technical service team was later assigned to the flight. From 2 - 15 December 1979, the Air Force Special Emergency Service Flight (AFSESF), conducted a protective service operation (PSO) for the deposed Shah of Iran. There were four attempts, by Iranian, "students", on his life. Overall, 34 apprehensions were made. Impressed with the AFSESF's tactical performance; the director of the united States Secret Service, FBI Director and AFOSI Commander, requested the Flight's young flight sergeant - TSgt Chalma l. Sexton, Jr., As tactical planner, armed special agent and overall security adviser, during the Shah's highly classified move to Contadora island, Panama. Sergeant Sexton assisted the Panamanians in establishing overall security and protective operations. (Operation account provided by Lee Sexton extracted from Major Marie Shaddon's "Historical Perspective on the Air Force Security Police".) |
Documents donated by Lee Sexton
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