The squadron embarked on its only aircraft carrier cruise in the F-4 Phantom in November 1979 aboard . After liberty stops in, Korea, Thailand, and Singapore, "Coral Sea" arrived in the Arabian Sea in January 1980 flying protection caps for "Coral Sea" and . On 24 April 1980, VMFA-323 was prepared to fly combat missions into southern Iran in support of US hostages rescue attempt Operation Eagle Claw with the mission to shoot down any Iranian combat aircraft that attempted to take off. When Operation Eagle Claw failed, VMFA-323 F-4s flew missions around the clock until all US support ships had exited the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its service. The squadron arrived back at Subic Bay, RP after 102 straight days at sea.