Curts (FFG 38) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS Curts instrumental against Iraqi mine efforts IN THE ARABIAN GULF — A U.S. Navy A-6 attack jet sunk one of two small Iraqi minesweepers in the vicinity of Qurah Island early on Jan. 24; 25 miles east and 21 miles north of the Kuwait-Saudi border. The other minesweeper apparently struck an Iraqi mine while attempting to escape and sank. A helicopter from Helicopter Anti- submarine Squadron Light Fort Five, operating from the guided mi: sile frigate USS Curts (FFG-38), wa on the scene to rescue Iraqi crev members from the minesweeper; Enemy Prisoners of War (EPW; were captured in the water ' Ih transported to USS Curts, where the are being detained pending furthe transfer to a U.S. holding facility. «««»j . With a plume of smoke that rises nearly 200 feet into the air, a mim iiscovered in the Arabian Gulf is destroyed. USS Curts, in the backgrouno observes from aooroximatelv two miles awav. (Official US Naw nhntn hv ph: 78 While engaged in the rescue opera- tion, the U.S. helicopter encountered small arms fire from a nearby island. The helicopter engaged hostile forces on the island; resulting in the capture of additional EPWs. Reports indicate three Iraqi personnel we re killed in this encounter and a total of 51 EPWs taken into custody. Our involvement in the capture of Qurah Island is probably one of the most exhilirating days in all our lives, said Cmdr. G.H. Montgomery, USS Curts commanding officer. Each and every member of the ' 38 Special ' team has been superb. All of are safe. Earlier this month, a USS Curts helo crew located a floating mine while operating with USS Missouri (BB-63) in the Arabian Gulf on Tan. 9. A U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team from the battle- ship destroyed the mine. Missouri dispatched its embarked EOD team by small boat to get a closer look at the floating mine and used an explo- sive charge to destroy it. When detonated, the mine sent a plume of water and smoke nearly 200 feet in the air. Cmdr. Montgomery added that morale aboard Curts has never been higher, although the mail has been terrible. He said that the crew of Curts shares the loneliness of family members in Yokosuka and looks forward to terrific reunions as soon as possible. Stay safe, make the kids do their homework and keep us in your prayers, said Montgomery.

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STORM BOARDING THE MINELAYER OUR FIRST EPW ' S 77

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2 minesweepers sunk Saudi pilot shoots down 2 Iraqi fighters USS Curts: Navy shipmates become like brothers under intense pressure of gulf war Prisoners taken; air fiptits increase DALEG. YO ' JNG The Detroit Ne ]}lenne and Daniel Honey wait or word from their son, Dar- •ell, now aboard the USS Curti My No. 1 motivation is to do my job ... and to get out alive. DARRELL HONEY 79