Coral Sea (CV 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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Eastern editerranean perations hat began as a routine Mediterranean deployment for the men of Coral Sea and Airwing THIRTEEN ended up as a challenge of skill and endurance. Coral Sea arrived at Alexandria, Egypt on July 29, 1989 for several days of well deserved liberty. While sailors were enjoying tours and shopping, tensions in the middle east began to escalate as terrorists threatened to execute American hostages taken in Lebanon. On July 31st, Reuters news service reported the hanging of Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel William Higgins by Lebanese terrorist factions. The terrorists then threatened to execute Joseph Cicippio, an American taken hostage in Lebanon. The world recalled just three years earlier, when Coral Sea and Airwing THIRTEEN conducted air strikes on Libya in retaliation for its support of international terrorism. Repeating history, Coral Sea departed Alexandria on August lst and sortied off the coast of Lebanon with other ships of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. She remained on station for more than three weeks. Anticipation and excitement echoed throughout the Ageless Warrior. The mess decks, berthing, ready rooms, work centers and passageways buzzed with the prospect of launching air attacks against Beirut. From the junior Seaman to the most senior officer, every man aboard the Coral Sea was prepared to sail in harms way. Utilizing tactics practiced during Battlegroup phase of training and relying upon the experience and professionalism of each man, crews worked around the clock preparing for the word to launch the jets. The word never came, and on August 28th Coral Sea pulled into Antalya, Turkey for three days of liberty. Following a brief visit to Haifa, Israel, tensions once again began to flare in the region. With concern for the safety of American citizens, the president ordered the evacuation of personnel from the embassy in Beirut. Coordinating two air wings, Coral Sea and other Sixth Fleet units executed the operation flawlessly. Coral Sea's presence in the tumultuous region of the Mediterranean, as before, proved to be instrumental in keeping the peace, and most certainly was influential in the terrorist's decision to stay the execution of Cicippio and other hostages. Coral Sea's presence also gave American diplomats and politicians the necessary leverage in efforts to cease the hostage situation.