USS Missouri Command History 1987
authorized to consume two cans of beer in accordance with CNO
policy.
Following several days of training in the southern operating
areas, MISSOURI conducted "Earnest Will" operations in the Strait
of Hormuz on 11 and 12 October. During this and six subsequent
"Earnest Will" missions, MISSOURI provided surface protection for
U. S. flagged tankers and their escorts transiting the Strait of
Hormuz. Operations were conducted both independently and jointly
with other units of the MISSOURI battlegroup and the USS RANGER
carrier battlegroup. During Earnest Will operations, most of
which were conducted at night, MISSOURI normally remained at
general quarters for up to 15 continuous hours.
On 19 October, the destroyers LEFTWICH and HOEL from
MISSOURI's battlegroup were among four U. S. Navy ships that
destroyed the Iranian Rashadat Oil platforms in the Arabian Gulf.
That attack was carried out in response to the Iranian attack on
the U. S. flagged tanker Sea Isle City.
While in the southern opearating [sic] areas on 15 and 16 October,
MISSOURI hosted ADM D. E. Jeremiah, Commander-in-Chief U. S.
Pacific Fleet. ADM Jeremiah toured the ship and addressed the
crew, Wardroom and CPO Mess during his stay. During his address
to the crew from the foc's'le, the Admiral made an instant hit
with an announcement that MISSOURI would return home via Eastern
and Western Australia.
MISSOURI continued her participation in Earnest Will
operations into the first two weeks of November.
On 9 November, MISSOURI hosted ADM Carlisle A. H. Trost,
Chief of Naval Operations, for a short visit which included a
ship's tour and address to the crew. The Deputy Commander of the
Joint Task Force Middle East, BGEN Record, USAF, visited MISSOURI
on 10 and 11 November to view Earnest Will operations.
Following the departure of RANGER and her battlegroup on 14
November, MISSOURI and the original Battlegroup SIERRA remained
on station until the arrival of the USS MIDWAY carrier
battlegroup on 24 November. The ten days on station without a
Carrier Battlegroup were uneventful.
Another "Beer Day" was held on 20 November on MISSOURI's
flight deck to commemorate her 90th continuous day at sea.
A small boat regatta on 21 November included a pass-in-
review, motor whaleboat race and small boat tactical maneuvering.
Following a brief turnover meeting on 24 November with MIDWAY
battlegroup ships and staff, MISSOURI battlegroup (less USS LONG
BEACH) headed southeast for Diego Garcia. Condition three
watches stood down to condition four after crossing south of 20
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Enclosure (1)