28 March (continuing)The first Navy carrier batt~e groups to return to CONUS, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY and USS SARATOGA, arrive at homeports: Norfolk VA: USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67), the 4th carrier deployed, departed with just five days notice, leading a seven-and-a-half month battle group deployment that maintained a close watch on shipping in the Red Sea and launched 11,000+ combat sorties against Iraq. Aircraft from USS JOHN F. KENNEDY conducted the first war-time use of the Stand- off Land Attack Missile (SLAM), and battle group ship USS SAN JACINTO fired the first TOMAAAWK cruise missile against Iraq. During the 226 day deployment, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY was underway for 196 days, travelled 50,000 miles, and made the first-ever aircraft carrier Red Sea port visits to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Hurghada, Egypt. USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40) conducted operations as part of the Maritime Intercept Force Red Sea escort unit. During a seven-and-a-half month deployment, the cruiser's crew boarded 73 merchant ships to enforce U.N. sanctions and fired TOMAHAWK cruise missiles on Iraqi targets. USS SAN JACINTO (CO-S 6) conducted maritime intercept operations preventing cargo shipments to or from Iraq and served as the anti- warfare commander protecting the Red Sea battle force from preemptive Iraqi or terrorist attacks. On 16 January, USS SAN JACINTO made naval history by firing the first TOMAHAWK cruise missile in combat to support air strikes by USS JOHN F. KEN- NEDY and USS SARATOGA. The AEGIS cruiser completed its seven-and-a-half month deployment protecting the battle force from any Iraqi air strikes. USS THOMAS S. GATES (CO-S 1) conducted operations in the Maritime Intercept Force, and under the command of Destroyer Squadron 36, the Red Sea escort cruiser played a decisive role in maritime intercep- tions during OPERA~ON DESERT SIlIELD and DESERT STORM. Newport RI: USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG-58) conducted operations with the Red Sea Maritime Interception Force working cooperatively with an international force of ships to enforce U.N. sanctions against Iraq. The frigate alone conducted over 100 boardings of merchant ships to prevent cargo shipments to or from Iraq. Colts Neck NJ: USS SEATTLE (AOE-3), a fast combat support ship, provided the ships of the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY Battle Group with fuel, ammunition and stores during the seven-and-a-half month deployment. A-55
| Table of Contents | First Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Src Image |