As revolution consumed Iran in early 1979 and the Shah’s government collapsed, a young U.S. Air Force captain from Alabama found himself at the controls of a mission where one wrong decision could have cost hundreds of lives.

On Thursday, Nov. 6, retired Lt. Col. Will Noe, now of Coweta County, recounted for the White Oak Golden Kiwanis his role in evacuating Americans from Tehran as the Iranian Revolution erupted around them.

Noe served as aircraft commander of a C-141 Starlifter during the evacuation, and his account left listeners gripping their seats as if flying with him into danger.

Noe began by situating the audience in the winter of 1979, when Islamic fundamentalists ousted the Shah and commercial airlines withdrew because of safety and insurance concerns. American citizens foun

See Full Page