Iran Attacked a US-Protected Convoy – 41 Minutes Later, Their Largest Naval Base Was Gone.lh

The Bulkley now faced a dilemma.

Her primary mission was to protect the convoy, but engaging the attackers meant turning away from the remaining two tankers, which were also under threat.

In a split-second decision, Commander Drake ordered the Bulkley to engage the lead group while broadcasting emergency warnings to the trailing tankers: “Scatter, run, maximum speed toward Omani waters.”

At 11:35, the Bulkley opened fire, unleashing her 5-inch naval gun at a rate of 20 rounds per minute.

The lead Iranian boat, just 400 meters away, took a direct hit and disintegrated.

The remaining boats in the lead group scattered, having expected harassment rather than annihilation.

But while the Bulkley engaged the forward group, the rear group struck.