 In October 1983, Brown participated in the invasion of Grenada, during which his unit became the first aviation unit to use night vision goggles in combat.In the late 1980s, Brown led all U.S. aviation forces assigned to Operation Prime Chance, which provided escort security for American-flagged Kuwaiti tankers during the Iran–Iraq War.During Operation Prime Chance Brown's unit became the first aviation unit to engage in combat using night vision devices when they engaged an Iranian-flagged ship, "Iran Ajr", that was seen deploying mines in the Persian Gulf.