Iowa (BB 61) - Naval Cruise Book

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Steaming! BATTLESHIP IOWA left Norfolk Sept. 10 on a six-month Mediterran ean! Indian Ocean deployment. When it was all over IOWA had steamed more than 40,000 miles, operated in 16 seas and had visited five different countries. After leaving home, her first stop was Sept. 20 in Naples, Italy, giving the crew a chance to relax and stretch their legs before continuing their journey. However, it wasn't all play and no work. IOWA hosted a reception given by the Commander in Chief of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe Adm. James Busey, for allied military and civilian leaders the Marines to dazzle distinguished visitors with a performance during a Sunset Retreat Ceremony After spending five days of liberty in this Mediterranean port, IOWA and her crew returned to sea, participating in Excercise Display Determination '87. From Sept. 28 to Oct. 6, IOWA carried out a major role in this exer cise, designed to enchance combat effectiveness, readiness, coordination and interoperability of allied forces The exercise spanned the southern region of NATO from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Black Sea. IOWA's - -+-ve--n-..-.-...-,-..-vw.,-,,--y-...- ,pf ..-.-.mv ..,,. .,'., . .. , . ,, . ,, , Six Months in the Life of participation in Display Determination 87 marked the first time a Battleship Battlegroup participated in the exer cise It was also the first time the Be motely Piloted Vehicle was used and when the 16 inch guns roared at Capo Teulada it was a devastating display of fire power With Commander Sixth Fleet Vice Admiral K E Moranville and members of his staff embarked lOWAs role included providing cover protection for amphibious warfare units and ltal ian anti submarine warfare iASWl units Upon completion of Display Deter mination IOWA proceeded to Istan bul Turkey her next major port of Iowans had a chance to test Turkish cuisine and their bargaining skills at some of Istanbul s outside markets A good change of pace but the work didn t stop The Istanbul port visit gave IOWA s Marines a chance to show their true colors during a wreath laying cere mony honoring the Turkish Hero the Ataturk After a four day visit the Bg Stick departed on Oct 11 Without missing a beat IOWA participated in Exercise National Week the following da After concluding her participation in National Week IOWA headed for Augusta Bay Sicily for replenishment of supplies Spending only a few hours in Augusta Bay IOWA headed for Marseille France for what would be her last stop before proceeding to the Indian Ocean On Nov 20 only hours prior to low ering the brow in Marseille IOWA s course was diverted in the middle of the night Her orders were changed from pulling into Marseille her new instructions were to chart a course to the Norwegian Sea This was done in an effort to demonstrate the versatility of a Battleship Battlegroup IOWA and TICONDEROGA left the the icy depths of the North Atlantic for operations Although operating in freezing temperatures the Battleship Battlegroup demonstrated its versatil ity and ability to operate in any cli mate while carrying out any mission During this transit IOWA crossed the Arctic Circle Crossing this histori cal point many IOWA sailors partici pated in a time honored ceremony to become a Blue Nose literally paint ing their noses blue and proving they could brave the below freezing tem peratures Naples was also an opportunity for call. Arriving in Istanbul on Oct. 7, Mediterranean and proceeded into ' I - . -, ir i xx ,YI ' ' - y. -

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Although the hard work continued, IOWA took time out of her busy schedule to make a brief port visit in Trondheim, Norway. Many sailors vis- ited Norwegian homes, taking advan- tage of the hospitality they were of- fered. Also, for an opportunity of a lifetime, over 6,000 Norwegians en- dured long lines in the bitter cold to walk the decks of the Big Stick. Departing Norway Nov. 8, IOWA continued her journey to the Mediter- ranean, and eventually the Indian Ocean. On Nov. 11, IOWA stopped in Rota, Spain to onload supplies. While in Rota, IOWANS were allowed to visit the base exchange to restock sup- plies. Before sailing for the next phase of this deployment, IOWA headed for Marseille. Marseille was a key port call of this deployment. Much of the time spent there was devoted to making material improvements in order to maximize lOWA's capabilities in her upcoming Indian Ocean mission. However, it was also a chance to give her sailors a little more rest before proceeding to the Middle East. This visit also proved beneficial to the community of Mar- seille. It gave them their first opportu- nity to get a look at a battleship. IOWA hosted yet another reception in Marseille. Proving they had the right stuff, IOWANS carried out their duties flawlessly. The American Counsel General was extremely im- pressed and the Mayor requested that IOWA visit again. Prior to depart- ing Marseille, the Marine Corps added another year to its life. IOWA marines celebrated the occasion with a birth- day dinner, which they shared with some of lOWA's sailors. On Thanksgiving Day, IOWA took her place in line for the day-long tran- sit of the Suez Canal. Knowing ship- mates would be yearning for some of that home-style cooking on this spe- cial day, lOWA's chefs prepared a feast like only Mom could cook. There was turkey, dressing and all the trim- mings. There were a variety of des- serts, including pumpkin pie. Decora- tions on the mess decks gave that festive spirit that could only be found at home. Still headed for her station in the North Arabian Sea, IOWA knew that long and grueling times awaited her. The days got hotter, the working hours longer. In a few hours, IOWA was on station in the North Arabian Sea. lOWA's reason for enterting this theatre was not to present a threat to anyone, but to ensure the protection of U.S. flagged shipping. Like all combatant ships entering this region before her, IOWA re- mained on station waiting for her call to duty. When that day come, IOWA was ready and her crew eager. When the alarm sounded General Quarters, they knew it was time. It was finally lOWA's turn to take position and en- sure no harm came to the reflagged Kuwaiti tankers flying Old Glory . The nights were long but the crew remained alert. Not wanting anything to happen to their shipmates, lowans went in prepared for the worst, always hoping they would never be required to use the training they had received for this mission. On these night missions, no one slept. After each mission, a tired crew would effortlessly climb into their racks for a brief rest before resuming the normal work day. They were tired, true, but pleased knowing they had performed another successful escort mission. This scene would be repeat- ed three more times before IOWA fi- nally exited the North Arabian Sea heading for the Mediterranean, and on her journey home. The tensions were gone as IOWA departed this troubled region for the last time. Spirits were up because Io- wans realized they had carried out all assignments and would soon be re- united with family and friends day they had long awaited. lOWA's Welfare and Recreation Department stayed busy keeping the crew entertained during the deploy ment. They organized everything from Bingo to basketball tournaments to talent shows. There were boxing smokers, triathlons, and decathlons Thanks to a lot of effort by Welfare and Recreation personnel, Valentines Day was hailed as Super Sunday. It started with boxing smokers on the fantail followed by a Steel Bench Picnic. At 7 p.m., the granddaddy of all Bingo parties was held on the mess decks. This would also be the day lowans would prove how generous they were It was a day that would live in infamy High stepping lowans would walk right out of the Persian Gulf to the tune of S20,000. That was the amount contributed to this years Team Walk America by a bunch of warm hearted guys. An event coor dinated by BMCM QSWJ Bobby Scott Team Walk gets larger every year Scott set Teamwalk's goal this year at 810.000, a total which proved to be far too small for these generous Americans. Although eager to get home, IOWA had one more stop to look forward to After 83 continuous days underway IOWA entered Flota, Spain on Feb 26, for last minute repairs and for some much needed relaxation The crew was then raring to go IOWA took to the sea on the morning of Feb. 29 on the final leg of her jour ney. IOWA arrived at Pier 11 on Thurs day, March 10 at 9:30 a.m. Yes, IO WA's motto was once again a reality The Big Stick is Back! - a lOWA's Command Master Chief,