28 March (continuing)Mayport FL: USS SARATOGA (CV-60), the 3rd carrier deployed, led a high-speed transit of the Atlantic to the gulf region, making the normally ten-day voyage in seven days -- the fastest Atlantic crossing since World War II. On station, the battle group units were strategically positioned to guard the northern and southern Red Sea entrances, then conducted the most successful maritime interdiction operation ever undertaken by the U.S., challenging 1,500+ merchants ships, intercepting and boarding 242, and diverting 13 from delivering contraband cargo. Following the tragic drownings of 21 crewmembers during a holiday port visit to Haifa, Israel, the carrier launched around-the-clock strikes on targets in Iraq and occupied Kuwait, registering 1Z664 sorties, 11,700 launchings, 217 days underway, and only 20 days in port. USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG-58) escorted the USS SARATOGA across the Atlantic and through the Suez Canal -- eventually becoming the first Navy ship to ever-transit the Suez Canal six times -- to join the Mari- time Interception Force in the Gulf of Aqaba. On two occasions while enforcing U.N. sanctions, USS PHIwPINE SEA fired warning shots from its five-inch batteries and .50 caliber machine guns to stop vessels seeking to elude the quarantine. With the onset of hostilities, the guided missile cruiser, fired its TOMAHAWK cruise missiles at targets in Iraq before assuming operational duties. USS SPRUANCE (DD-963) conducted assignments ranging from good-will visits to submarine hunting to firing its TOMAHAWK cruise missiles against targets in northern Iraq to assisting in the evacuation of the American Embassy in Beirut. In addition the destroyer operated as a member of the Maritime Interception Force, boarding three mer- chants and diverting one before completing its nearly eight-month de- ployment. USS SAMPSON (DDG-10) performed the final Adams class guided missile destroyer deployment as a unit of the Maritime Interception Force, conducting the first boarding and search of a merchant during OP- ERA~ON DESERT SHIELD and the first diversion of a ship with prohibited cargo. Mter conducting the first-ever exercise ASROC shot in the Red Sea, USS SAMPSON operated with ships of various NATO navies conducting surveillance and protection of shipping in the approaches to the Suez Canal. USS ELMER MONTGOMERY (FF-1082) fired the first warning shots by U.S. forces during an interception and was the first ship in theater to conduct 100 boardings. The fast frigate also diverted 6 merchants with prohibited cargo, supported by embarked Helicopter Squadron (Light) 36, Detachment 9, before assuming anti-air warfare defense of the Suez Canal and Mediterranean. A-56
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