Operation Silent Comet refers to the tactical air and naval strikes undertaken on August 10, 1985 by Portugal against the Spanish African Fleet of the Spanish People's Navy, brutally crippling the already-weak navy within the course of a day during the Third Iberian War. By utilizing a three-pronged offensive - high-altitude aerial bombers against sea targets, air-to-water torpedoes and tactical rocket strikes by low-altitude fighters outfitted specifically for the mission, and a coastal bombardment by fast naval vessels - the Portuguese were able to effectively neutralize the Spanish fleet moored at three ports along the African coast, thus preventing countermeasures by the African Fleet and allowing the Portuguese Navy's main contingents to blockade the Strait of Gibraltar against the Sp