America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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W --ff 1--if- After a short inport period, AMERICA de- ployed for exercise North Star '91 , then de- ployed again to the Mediterranean to meet glob- al carrier requirements. She also became the first carrier to earn an unprecedented third campaign star on the Southwest Asia Service Medal when she returned to the Persian Gulf in early 1992 in support of United Nations sanc- tions against Iraq, returning home from the ex- tended deployment in Iune 1992. AMERICA entered the Norfolk Naval Ship- yard in Iuly 1992 for the start of a six month shipyard availability. AMERICA returned to sea in December 1992 for sea trials. In Ianuary and February 1993, the carrier conducted training carrier operations off the coast of Florida for new pilots, and con- tinued With refresher training in February and March. After COMTUEX, the exercise Ocean Venture and a port visit to St. Thomas, USVI. in April and May, AMERICA and her airwing continued workups for deployment. The USS AMERICA Ioint Task Group departed Norfolk and other East Coast ports on August 11, 1993 for the recent Mediterranean deployment. As AMERICA departs Rio de Ianeiro the crewman send a message to the city that hosted them

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wvfv.-gy-I.,-..., . --- 1, Q, , S ' ' ' -f' -- -'W'Y v-V-mv-as-u-vygv AMERICA heels far on her starboard side during a high speed acceptance trial. After successful strikes against targets in Benghazi and Tripoli, all of AMERICA's air- craft returned safely. AMERICA returned to Norfolk from this deployment September 10, 1986. AMERICA entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard November 20, 1986, for an extended Complex Overhaul. The ship departed the Shipyard February 15, 1988, for sea trials, but took a break in April to participate in FLEET WEEK Naval Celebration in New York City. In February 1989, AMERICA departed for exercises in the Caribbean and North Atlantic, again operating in the Vestiiord before making a port visit to LeHarve, France. Upon her re- turn to Norfolk, AMERICA immediately began preparing for a 183-day deployment to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. AMERICA returned to Norfolk from this deployment No- vember 10, 1989, and celebrated her 25th an- niversary of commissioned service in Ianuary 1990. After a period in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in the summer of 1990, AMERICA began com- pressed Workups in preparation for deploy- ment to the Middle East in support of Op- eration Desert Shield. When Desert Storm commenced, she was the only aircraft carrier to participate in combat operations from both the Red Sea and Persian Gulf., launching over 3000 sorties Without a single casualty.After hostilities ended, she returned to a hero's wel- come in both Norfolk and New York City, Where AMERICA again participated in FLEET WEEK and took part in the largest tickertape parade and victory celebration since World War II.

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Shortly after entering the Med- iterranean Sea in August, AMER- ICA completed a turnover with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT and participated in Operation Re- store Hope. Operation Restore Hope consisted of more than 120 sorties flown daily by CVW-1 air- craft over Bosnia-Herzogovenia in response to NATO intervention in the on-going regional conflict. In November 1993, the AMER- ICAXCVW-1 team was called upon by United Nations Commanders to provide air support over Somolia in Operation Provide Comfort. The AMERICA Battle Group enabled United Nations commanders to sucessfully complete mission ob- jectives in Somolia. The AMER- ICAXCVW-1 Team were instru- mental in the success enjoyed by United Nations Commanders dur- ing the late fall of 1993. 20 USS America