Leyte Gulf (CG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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. I ' pon overseeing the successful transition, LEYTE GULF closed out its responsibilities as Com- J niandcr Task Force 152.1 (United Nations Interception and Surface Action Group Commander) and J; was directed to the Northern Arabian Gulf, in order to assume Anti-Air Warfare and Strike Com- mander responsibilities for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command as 80,000 Iraqi troops moved towards the Kuwaiti border in an act of aggression. The cruiser made a high speed transit and traversed the 3100 mile journey within 5 days arriving on station 15 miles off the Iraqi coast to become the first Strike platform on the scene providing a visible deterrent to possible aggression by the Iraqi re- gime of Saddam Hussein. LEYTE GULF ' s offensive and defensive roles solidified the strong Naval presence in the Northern Arabian Gulf. While on station, LEYTE GULF was visited by several distinguished officials including the Secre- tary of Defense, the Honorable William H. Perry, the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, Senator John Warner (R-VA). the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jeremy M. Boorda, Commander, United States Naval Forces Central Command, Vice Admiral John Scott Redd, and Commander, Eisen- hower Battle Group, Rear Admiral Daniel Murphy. When addressing the ship ' s company, Secretary Perry thanked the crew for the outstanding job they have done as the tip of democracy ' s spear and emphasized that the mere presence of the U.S. mili- tary and our firm resolve to use it is a strong deterrent to any possible Iraqi aggression and was solely responsible for preventing another war in the region. Vice Admiral Redd addressed the crew stating that the ship ' s tremendous capabilities in all warfare areas and aggressive operating style changed the equation in the Arabian Gulf and made the cruiser the centerpiece of our Naval presence in the Middle East. Following Iraq ' s withdrawal from the Kuwaiti border, LEYTE GULF turned her attention towards Maritime Interception Operations. With orders from Vice Admiral Redd to close the spigot, on mer- chant traffic illegally transporting contraband oil from Iraq, LEYTE GULF aggressively patrolled the area, querying all merchant traffic and boarding vessels as directed. Within two months, this proactive posture had accounted for over fifty boardings and the capture and diversion of five vessels accounting for 90 ' 7r of the diversions since the inception o( the Operation in 1 990. LEYTE GULF ' s efforts in Maritime Interception resulted in the capture of over 25,000 tons of con- traband Iraqi oil and in an unprecedented feat the cruiser successfully boarded and diverted three Mo- tor Vessels transporting contraband oil in the same day. This achievement not only impacted the Iraqi smuggling effort but also served notice that every ves.sel underway in the Northern Arabian Gulf would be tracked and investigated by America ' s Battle Cruiser. Rear Admiral Dan Murphy, COMIKE- j , BATGRU commented on LEYTE GULF ' s performance by stating. You on Leyte GULF have ffj proven to be able to do it all. Your aggressive can do attitude and remarkable flexibility have simpK dominated the Battle Space of the Northern Arabian Gulf, Bravo Zulu. y yyy 77r y y y ' ' i HISTOR ' 5

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0 -- J DEPLOYMENT WRAP-UP i-J: i : .Nf . f 00 Days Deployed: 179 J Days at Sea: 150(83.8% ' Dayslnport: 29(16.2%) Total Tons of Contraband Iraqi Oil Diverted: 25,000 Flight deck evolutions: 1500 • ■- • Underway Replenishments; 12 - ' 1ail Sent: 1 1 Tons .. - NfeiTReceived: 44.5 Tons ' - eneral Quarter Drills: 19 ' Meals Served: 87,138. Valtie of Food Consumed: $290,262 Steel Beach Picnics: 13 Cases of Soda Consumed: 3153 (18,918 can§) Slices of Pizza: 3 1 ,450 Dozens of Eggs consumed: 11,830 Bottles of Hot Sauce: 548 y ottles of Snow Flq : i t hup: 12,550 »««