In 1978, President Carter's foreign policy team was primarily occupied with signing a treaty between Egypt and Israel in an effort to bring peace in Palestine and Israel. His senior advisers paid little attention the the weakening position of the Shah in Iran and the rise of support for then exiled Ayatollah Khomeini (Ayatollah is a high ranking title in structure of Shiite Islam).
On Wings of Eagles is a documentary about the Iranian revolution that took place in Iran from late 1978 through 1979 from the perspective of American businessmen from Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Iran. EDS provided computer installation and training for government projects, including the Health Ministry's social security and welfare system.
As the change in government progressed, EDS' largest customer, the Ministry of Health, was unable to pay the contractually agreed rates. After months without payment, EDS threatened to stop working for the Ministry of Health. As a result the Iranian government arrested EDS' top two executives. No charges were ever made against the executives and over time it became clear that the prosecutor was looking for the work to continue or a full refund of the EDS contract in exchange for their release.
And so began a series of efforts led by Ross Perot, then Chairman of EDS, to release the EDS executives. Perot and his team work with the Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Iran, military contacts, negotiation directly with the Iranian government and ultimately recruit a retired special forces colonel to organize a covert rescue mission.
The story is developed from lengthly interviews from all those involved. Historical events of interest include the Shah's departure, mutinies within the Iranian military, resignation of Iranian generals, Khomeini's return from exile and the initial (short lived) takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Iran.
The adventures of the EDS executives and their rescue team are hair-raising and unbelievably courageous. On Wings of Eagles is an entertaining and fascinating read.
In 1978, President Carter's foreign policy team was primarily occupied with signing a treaty between Egypt and Israel in an effort to bring peace in Palestine and Israel. His senior advisers paid little attention the the weakening position of the Shah in Iran and the rise of support for then exiled Ayatollah Khomeini (Ayatollah is a high ranking title in structure of Shiite Islam).
On Wings of Eagles is a documentary about the Iranian revolution that took place in Iran from late 1978 through 1979 from the perspective of American businessmen from Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Iran. EDS provided computer installation and training for government projects, including the Health Ministry's social security and welfare system.
As the change in government progressed, EDS' largest customer, the Ministry of Health, was unable to pay the contractually agreed rates. After months without payment, EDS threatened to stop working for the Ministry of Health. As a result the Iranian government arrested EDS' top two executives. No charges were ever made against the executives and over time it became clear that the prosecutor was looking for the work to continue or a full refund of the EDS contract in exchange for their release.
And so began a series of efforts led by Ross Perot, then Chairman of EDS, to release the EDS executives. Perot and his team work with the Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Iran, military contacts, negotiation directly with the Iranian government and ultimately recruit a retired special forces colonel to organize a covert rescue mission.
The story is developed from lengthly interviews from all those involved. Historical events of interest include the Shah's departure, mutinies within the Iranian military, resignation of Iranian generals, Khomeini's return from exile and the initial (short lived) takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Iran.
The adventures of the EDS executives and their rescue team are hair-raising and unbelievably courageous. On Wings of Eagles is an entertaining and fascinating read.
More info from Amazon: On Wings of Eagles