On December 4, 1983, US Navy aircraft launched from the USS John F. Kennedy and USS Independence targeted Syrian missile sites in Lebanon due to escalating tensions in the region. This military action was prompted by an earlier engagement where an American F-14 fighter jet was fired upon by a Syrian SA-7 surface-to-air missile. In retaliation, the United States aimed to neutralize the threat posed by Syrian air defenses in the volatile Lebanese theater, reflecting the broader geopolitical context of American involvement in Lebanon during the early 1980s.

During the operation, two aircraft—an A-6 Intruder and an A-7 Corsair—were shot down by enemy fire. The downing of these aircraft highlights the dangers faced by American forces in the region. The incident resulted in severe consequences: one pilot was killed in action, while another was successfully rescued. However, a third pilot was captured by Syrian forces, raising concerns about the safety of American personnel and the complexities of conducting military operations in contested airspace.

The event underscores the risks involved in US military engagements abroad and the challenges posed by sophisticated anti-aircraft systems employed by adversaries. It marked a significant moment in the US's military involvement in the Lebanese Civil War, emphasizing the operational risks that accompanied America’s political and military strategies in the Middle East.