Independent_sources Iran_Air_Flight_655

u.s. secretary of defense frank carlucci , chairman of joint chiefs of staff admiral william crowe brief media representatives @ pentagon shootdown on 19 august 1988.

john barry , roger charles of newsweek wrote in 13 july 1992 article rogers acted recklessly , without due care. however, subsequent fogarty report concluded rogers acted in prudent manner based on information available him, , short time frame involved. acted according prescribed rules of engagement usn warship captains in situation.

they accused u.s. government of cover-up, admiral crowe denied knowledge. analysis of events international strategic studies association described deployment of aegis cruiser in zone irresponsible , felt value placed on aegis cruisers navy had played major part in setting of low threshold opening fire. vincennes had been nicknamed robocruiser crew members , other navy ships, both in reference aegis system, , supposed aggressive tendencies of captain.

the international court of justice case relating airbus attack, aerial incident of july 3, 1988, (islamic republic of iran v. united states of america) , dropped on 22 february 1996 following settlement , reparations united states.

captain william rogers

three years after incident, admiral william j. crowe admitted on american television show nightline vincennes inside iranian territorial waters when launched missiles. contradicted earlier navy statements. international civil aviation organization (icao) report of december 1988 placed uss vincennes (cg-49) inside iran s territorial waters.

commander david carlson, commanding officer of uss sides, warship stationed nearest vincennes @ time of incident, reported have said destruction of aircraft marked horrifying climax captain rogers s aggressiveness, first seen 4 weeks ago . comment referred incidents on 2 june, when rogers had sailed vincennes close iranian frigate undertaking lawful search of bulk carrier, launched helicopter within 2–3 miles (3.2–4.8 km) of iranian small craft despite rules of engagement requiring four-mile (6.4 km) separation, , opened fire on small iranian military boats. of incidents, carlson commented, why want aegis cruiser out there shooting boats? wasn t smart thing do. said iranian forces had encountered in area month prior incident pointedly non-threatening , professional. @ time of rogers s announcement higher command going shoot down plane, carlson reported have been thunderstruck: said folks around me, why, hell doing? went through drill again. f-14. s climbing. damn thing @ 7,000 feet. carlson thought vincennes might have more information, , unaware rogers had been wrongly informed plane diving. carlson reported have written in u.s. naval proceedings had wondered aloud in disbelief on hearing of vincennes s intentions, speculating ship, known robo cruiser aggressiveness, felt need prove viability of aegis in persian gulf, , hankered opportunity show stuff.

craig, morales , oliver, in slide presentation published in m.i.t. s spring 2004 aeronautics & astronautics uss vincennes incident , commented captain rogers had undeniable , unequivocal tendency towards call picking fight. on own initiative, rogers moved vincennes 50 miles (80 km) northeast join uss montgomery. angry captain richard mckenna, chief of surface warfare commander of joint task force, ordered rogers abu musa, vincennes helicopter pilot, lt. mark collier, followed iranian speedboats retreated north, taking fire:

...the vincennes jumps fray. heading towards majority of speedboats, unable clear target. also, speedboats milling in own territorial waters. despite clear information contrary, rogers informs command gunboats gathering speed , showing hostile intent , gains approval fire upon them @ 0939. finally, in fateful decision, crosses 12-nautical-mile (22 km) limit off coast , enters illegally iranian waters.