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April 18th 1988 - Operation Praying Mantis

Lowlight

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Minuteman
  • Apr 12, 2001
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    Base of the Rockies
    www.snipershide.com
    On this day, April 18th, 1988, as part of MAGTF 2-88 we engaged in Operation Praying Mantis

    10247257_1412110492393217_5467607658018573156_n.jpg

    Iranian Oil Platforms we landed on
    10250285_1412108119060121_325831093717828774_n.jpg


    News Video of the Operation
    <iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AJnFVFA87I0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    We lost a Cobra and it's crew during the Operation, they were shot down.

    10259053_10203424377870560_5904114519812801920_o.jpg


    Captain's Hill and Leslie

    10298612_10203424452472425_5341425861564333340_o.jpg


    Chocolate Chips

    10275470_10203424434871985_6944973872934186985_o.jpg
     
    Thank you for this post and your service, i had heard of this operation but it was good to see details.
     
    In some book there is a mention of a sniper with the initials FG participating in the assault of an oil platform.
     
    It's great that you honor your brothers in arms by remembering this anniversary. Thanks for your service gentlemen.
     
    Read Crosshairs in the kill zone years ago and I realized "Hey that's Mr. G"
    Kudos to those who walked the talk.

    Also read Lau's book and noticed TS groups. This is a small world.
     
    Great remembrance of the shenanigans in the Gulf, Straits, North Arabian Sea, Masira, and of course "Gonzo Station, where nobody can hear you scream" :)

    Thank you for the walk through the past LowLight, and thank you all for what you've done and do !!! God Bless America !!!


    PS: After 100 + days on station you're rewarded with Mombasa ?! Really, Mombasa. That was cruel as hell :)
     
    Last edited:
    I liked Mombasa, went on Safari, traded my socks for a sand stone chess set, lol it was better than Diego Garcia, barely, but better.

    It was definitely better than the morning crossing the equator, though the drag show the night before was interesting. I still have nightmares if I see a fat guy in the peanut butter isle at the grocery store.
     
    I remember being told of this as we were doing a Platoon run through Quantico during the last weeks of MSG school. Made the platoon run a little faster knowing we at least wore the same insignia of someone kicking ass.
     
    I liked Mombasa, went on Safari, traded my socks for a sand stone chess set, lol it was better than Diego Garcia, barely, but better.

    It was definitely better than the morning crossing the equator, though the drag show the night before was interesting. I still have nightmares if I see a fat guy in the peanut butter isle at the grocery store.


    Oh yeah, I did the Tsavo 3 day safari two different times and drank beer watching Kilimanjaro at sunset, but the Tusker Lager unless cold was difficult :) What a time. Wog Day, extra special lmao.
     
    I was on the Roberts when we hit the mine. I am friends with Capt Leslies widow & daughter now. Can someone confirm the picture above of the Cobra & the Trenton are indeed Capts Hill/Leslie?

    If anyone has any specific pictures of Capt Leslie, please get in touch with me, his daughter is looking for anything she can about her dad.

    NO HIGHER HONOR

    On this day, April 18th, 1988, as part of MAGTF 2-88 we engaged in Operation Praying Mantis

    10247257_1412110492393217_5467607658018573156_n.jpg

    Iranian Oil Platforms we landed on
    10250285_1412108119060121_325831093717828774_n.jpg


    News Video of the Operation
    <iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AJnFVFA87I0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    We lost a Cobra and it's crew during the Operation, they were shot down.

    10259053_10203424377870560_5904114519812801920_o.jpg


    Captain's Hill and Leslie

    10298612_10203424452472425_5341425861564333340_o.jpg


    Chocolate Chips

    10275470_10203424434871985_6944973872934186985_o.jpg