final decision to fire. During this period, verbal reports were being made by one of the console operators over internal circuits of decreasing range and altitude. Additionally, the fact that the range of TN 4131 in this period was rapidly approaching the final weapons release point for the incoming aircraft factors into the decision to fire. Also, crucial to the investigation was the explanation (where possible) of the divergence between the data available in the AEGIS system derived from the data reduction tapes and the reports received by the CO and "GW" (the CO's principal air war advisor), especially the reports of "F-14", IFF", and "decreasing altitude".
2. The data from USS VINCENNES's tapes, information from USS SIDES and reliable intelligence information, corroborate the fact that TN 4131 was on a normal commercial air flight plan profile, in the assigned airway, squawking Mode III 6760, on a continuous ascent in altitude from takeoff at Bandar Abbas to shoot down.
III. FINDINGS OF FACT
A.SETTING THE STAGE
1.Intelligence Background.
a. The Gulf War
(1) The war between Iran and Iraq is the latest iteration of a conflict dating back a thousand years.
(2) Although Iraq used it's superior Air Force to target Iranian oil installations around the head of the Gulf and Kharg Island early in the war, the purchase of EXOCET missiles from France in 1983 provided Iraq with a credible ship attack capability. Anti-shipping strikes commenced in 1984.
(3) Iraq's intent on conducting anti-shipping attacks was to put economic pressure on Iran by seeking to limit Iran's oil revenue and to bring an end to the larger ground war. Iran responded in kind by striking tankers in 1984 to prevent war supplies from reaching Iraq.
(4) Since the start of the Gulf War, as a subset of the larger Iran/Iraq War, there has been history of violence in the Persian Gulf.
(5) The Gulf War intensified in 1987 when Iraq used its Air Force to conduct an aggressive campaign against Iranian oil facilities and shipping. The campaign was centered in the Central Persian Gulf (CPG) and intensified in May 1987. These expanded operations culminated in the 1 May 1987 erroneous attack on USS STARK.
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