1 Jan
USS MISSOURI (BB-63) arrives in the Gulf
of Oman. USNS MERCY (T-AH 19) records 1,000th helicopter landing.
2 Jan
CINCCENTCOM announces new U.S. troop strength at over 325,000 in region
(35,000 USN, 55,000 USMC); updates numbers of intercepts - 6,221; boardings
- 749; diversions - 32. Navy ship strength: 25 (Arabian Gulf), 20 (North
Arabian Sea/Gulf of Oman), 10 (Red Sea). 6 anti-ship mines discovered floating
in Gulf during December, all destroyed. Investigation of origin/date of
deployment continues. USNS ANDREW J. HIGGINS (T-AO 190) runs aground on
an uncharted reef off Oman, hull rupture leaks undetermined amount of mixed
fuels. No injuries.
4 Jan
USS GUAM (LPH-9) and USS TRENTON (LPD-14) conduct Operation EASTERN
EXIT. Embarked elements of 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade evacuated 65
U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals caught in civil war in Somalia.
Evacuees helicoptered from U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu to ships offshore.
No injuries or incidents. USS MISSOURI responded to distress call from Saudi-flagged
tanker TABUK (2 small fires, inoperative fire pump) near Dubai. MISSOURI
fire party and repair officer transferred onboard, and extinguished fire.
Spanish frigate intercepts and diverts Soviet-flagged cargo ship DIMITRIY
FERMANOV in Northern Red Sea after multinational boarding team, including
Navy personnel from USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN- 40), discovered improperly-manifested
military equipment on board. DIMITRIY FERMANOV, enroute from Odessa, USSR
to Aqaba, Jordan, anchors while manifest awaits reconciliation and is found
to be in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions.
SECNAV activates 438 additional Naval Reservists from 55 units.
5 Jan
With Operation EASTERN EXIT, the U.S. Ambassador, the Soviet ambassador,
and 193 additional foreign nationals evacuated in four helicopter roundtrips
from U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia to USS GUAM and USS TRENTON. The
rescue operation was initiated from a range of 460 miles, and involved the
first in-flight night refueling of helicopters by USMC KC-130s. 60 U.S.
Marines provided rear security until 48-hour evacuation completed. Evacuees
taken to undisclosed location for processing and return to respective countries.
6 Jan
USS SARATOGA (CV-60) transits Suez Canal en route Red Sea for the fifth
time, a record canal transit by any Navy ship during a single deployment.
USS MISSISSIPPI diverts a freighter in the N. Red Sea.
7 Jan
In Operation SHARP EDGE, USMC Fleet Antiterrorist Security Team (FAST)
relieves Marine Amphibious Readiness Group at U.S. Embassy in Monrovia,
Liberia providing security.
8 Jan
DOD announces new U.S. troop strength at over 360,000 in region (540,000+
Iraqi troops); updates numbers of intercepts - 6,566; boardings - 785; diversions
- 34; 147,300 Reserves/National Guard recalled: 9,939 Navy, 18,155 USMC.
Navy ship strength in region - 63: 18 (Arabian Gulf), 21 (North Arabian
Sea/ Gulf of Oman), 12 (Red Sea), 12 (Mediterranean). Sealift update: 245
ships in support, 218 under MSC operational control; 253 offloads completed
(12 billion pounds of equipment/fuel). Soviet-flagged DIMITRY FERMANOV remains
in the Red Sea. Cargo ship will be allowed to proceed to its destination
of Aqaba when the intercept force has determined the cargo is properly manifested.
9 Jan
Anti-ship contact mine discovered in Arabian Gulf, the 9th in last week.
USS MISSOURI (BB-63) explosive ordnance disposal team retrieved/destroyed.
USS NASHVILLE (LPD-13) departs Liberian coast, ending Operation SHARP EDGE.
USS ELMER MONTGOMERY boards 100th ship, designated MIF Centurion as first
ship in theater to reach this milestone. SECNAV activates 1,868 additional
Naval Reservists from 333 units.
10 Jan
USS MISSISSIPPI diverts a freighter in the N. Red Sea.
8-ship Amphibious Task Force enters Arabian Gulf to conduct routine operations.
Led by USS NASSAU (LHA-2), task force carries complement of nearly 10,000
sailors and Marines.
12 Jan
U.S. Congress approves joint resolutions authorizing the use of force
against Iraq USS RANGER (CV-61) Carrier Battle Group arrives on station
in the North Arabian Sea. Amphibious Group Three (with 5th MEB embarked)
arrives on station in the Arabian Sea. The 18-ships, USS OKINAWA (LPH-3),
USS TARAWA (LHA-1), USS TRIPOLI (LPH-10), USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH- 11), USS
OGDEN (LPD-5), USS VANCOUVER (LPD-2), USS DENVER (LPD-9), USS ]UNEAU (LPH-10),
USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD-43), USS GERMANTOWN (LSD-42), USS ANCHORAGE (LSD-36),
USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD-39), USS DURHAM (LKA 114), USS MOBILE (LKA 115), USS
CAYUGA (LST-1184), USS BARBOUR COUNTY (LST-1195), USS PEORIA (LST-1183),
and USS FREDERICK (LST-1184) will join amphibious group presently deployed
creating the largest amphibious task force since the Korean War. USS MIDWAY
Carrier Battle Group reenters the Arabian Gulf. USS MISSOURI explosive ordnance
disposal team retrieves/detonates another anti-ship contact mine in the
Arabian Gulf USS OLDENDORF (DD-972) and USS TRENTON (LPD-14) team boarded/
inspected IBN KHALDOON, and after determining Iraqi-flagged cargo ship was
no longer carrying prohibited cargo, vessel was cleared to proceed to stated
destination Basrah, Iraq. No incidents.
14 Jan
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) Carrier Battle Group transits Suez Canal.
arrives on station in the Red Sea. Navy ship strength in Central Command
Area of Responsibility - 91: 35 (Arabian Gulf), 35 (North Arabian Sea/Gulf
of Oman), 21 (Red Sea). SECNAV activates 423 additional Naval Reservists
from 36 units. In second call-up, SECNAV activates 357 additional Naval
Reservists from 19 units.
15 Jan
USS AMERICA (CV-66) Carrier Battle Group transits Suez Canal. arrives
on station in the Red Sea. USS RANGER (CV-61) Carrier Battle Group transits
to station in Arabian Gulf DOD announces new U.S. troop strength at about
415,000 in region (545,000 Iraqi troops); updates numbers of intercepts
- 6913; boardings - 823; diversions - 36; 157,716 Reserves/National Guard
recalled: 10,952 Navy, 21,628 USMC. Navy ship strength in region - 108:
34 (Arabian Gulf), 35 (North Arabian Sea/ Gulf of Oman), 26 (Red Sea), 13
(Mediterranean). 17 anti-ship mines discovered in Arabian Gulf since 21
December 1990. 16 are believed to be of Iraqi origin.
Soviet-flagged DIMITRY FERMANOV is diverted, not allowed to proceed to its
destination of Aqaba. Vessel departs Northern Red Sea for transit back through
the Suez Canal to a non-prohibited port as determined by her master.
16 Jan
At weekly briefing, CINCCENTCOM announces new U.S. troop strength at
about 425,000 (60,000 USN, 75,000 USMC); 19 countries have deployed ground
forces; 14 nations are participating in naval efforts (U.S., 100 ships [80
combatants]/50 multinational ships); updates numbers of intercepts - 6960;
boardings - 832; diversions - 36. Completion of two naval exercises announced;
Operation CANDID HAMMER: communication techniques/mine warfare drills in
central Arabian Gulf (Participants: USN, Royal Saudi, French, British, Canadian,
and Australian naval forces); Operation CAMELOT: personnel and equipment
trained in various areas, to include anti-air warfare/vertical replenishment
in central Red Sea (Participants: USN, Royal Saudi naval forces).
At 1900 (EST), White House announced commencement of OPERATION DESERT STORM,
offensive action against Iraq under provisions of U.N. Security Council/U.S.
Congressional resolutions.
Return to Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Index 
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Center home page.
07 October 1997
