R. Lee Ermey's SOUND OFF Forum

[Batman47]

I was the Operations Department Yeoman for three years and the Special Services Yeoman in port Bremerton, Washington for six months. I arranged ski trips for the crew.

My fellow shipmates and I, along with other service members of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), naval escort ships; Army Rangers, Air Force and Marines, all played a role in “Operation Evening Light” and “Operation Eagle Claw” regardless of his duty. Now days I guess I would have to say his or her role.

The Coral Sea left Singapore 29 January 1980 and was at sea for 7-days prior to relieving USS Midway (CVW-41) in the northern part of the Arabian Sea on 5 February 1980 in connection with the continuing hostage crisis in Iran.

The Coral Sea traveled 6-days before entering a port, spending 89-days in the Indian Ocean and "GONZO" Station in the North Arabian Sea; while the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) was at sea a continuous 102-days. The Coral Sea crew was awarded the Sea Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Navy Expeditionary Medal.

The USS CORAL SEA CV-42, CVA-43, CVB-43 and CV-43 HISTORY, AND A TOUR OF DUTY IN THE U. S. NAVY (August 1977—February 1983) CONSTRUCTION to LAUNCHING and EARLY JET AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT (10 July 1944 TO 2 April 1946) story and tour of duty discloses events that have never been disclosed before and is due for release by years end.

The flowing is presented as an historical summary of “Operation Evening Light” and “Operation Eagle Claw” and is more relevant then you can imagine in light of current events.

[Batman47]

“USS Coral Sea (CV-43) with CVW-14 embarked (tail code NK) departed 13 November 1979 Alameda, California, on her 13th “Westpac” deployment operating with the Pacific Fleet (25 January 1960 to Present) and tour of duty with the 7th Fleet in the Far East, she will under go her first Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea deployment during the Iranian revolution & Iran Hostage Crisis to strengthen the U.S. Naval presence in the crucial Indian Ocean area as tensions heightened over Iran's taking of 52 American diplomats’ hostage, in what would turn out to be Operation Evening Light during Operation Eagle Claw, the attempt to rescue the US Embassy workers being held hostage in Tehran,Iran. Prior to her deployment conducted an intensive workup cycle, refresher training and CarQuals, to include many visits at North Island Naval Air Station, San Diego, Ca. February to November 1979 and was the ready carrier off the coast of California for about four months going from off the coast of Mexico, up to the Aleutians, and back, completing overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard, Bremerton, Washington and sailed for Alameda, Ca. (6 March 1978 to 8 February 1979), during which time on 20 November 1978, Coral Sea suffers a fire of unknown origin while moored at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash., which causes damage to the medical and dental spaces, delaying departure from the Ship Yard as the medical department was completely gutted by the fire (11 months - the carrier underwent $80,000,000 overhaul, during which the last of her 5-inch battery and all gun directors were removed - thirty-six years old., during which time Captain Stanley R. Arthur, relieved Captain Aitcheson, Jr. 3 June 1978 with Commander Hutchinson being relieved by Commander Curtain, USN, the Operations Department Head, frocked to Captain and assumed duties as the XO, while Captain Stanley R. Arthur is scheduled for rotation in December with Captain Richard M Dunleavy, to become the first Naval Flight Officer in history to command an aircraft carrier (NHC Battle Order p _). Reclassified CV-43 30 June 1975; involved in two Vietnam peace coast patrol cruises, ending with Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon 28 April 1975 during the evacuation of the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh 12 April 1975 in Operation Eagle Pull, while her first Vietnam peace coast patrol cruise was during Operation Homecoming (9 March 1973 to 11 August 1973), following six Vietnam War Combat cruises during the Vietnam Conflict/War (1 November 1965 to 17 July 1972), completing her 1st & 2nd Vietnam Expeditionary Force (VEF) deployments during her 1st & 2nd “Westpac,” (first CVA in the Bering Sea during 12 December 1961 to 17 July 1962 deployment). She will under go her 13th foreign water deployment since her visit to Vancouver, B.C. (18 to 22 March 1960) when she deployed from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington upon completion of sea trials and a post-overhaul inspection and survey evaluation, commencing once recommissioned, following SCB 110A conversion (16 April 1957 to 25 January 1960), decommissioned 24 April 1957, completing nine tours of duty in the Mediterranean Sea operating with the 6th Fleet (7 June 1948 to 13 August 1956); reclassified hull classification symbol CVA-43 1 October 1952. She will under go her 24th deployment since her commission 1 October 1947” (Ref.1-Coral Sea, 2-USS Coral Sea “Welcome Aboard” brochure, 34, 35 & 72).

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) Air Wing would change from Carrier Air Wing FIFTEEN (CVW-15) to Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW-14); marking the first time since World War II that two Marine fighter squadrons comprised the fighter arm of a Navy Air Wing. VMFA-323 and 531 F-4Ns covered CVW-14 during a period of hectic West Coast fighter transition” (Ref. 43).

“On 5 October 1960, Coral Sea debarked her two fighter squadrons ashore at Atsugi while embarking two Marine Douglas Skyraider' -Night fighter modified for cold weather Jet Attack Bomber squadrons, VMA-121 and VMA-324, thus pioneering the "all attack" carrier concept” (Ref. 43 & 72).

VMA-324 - Marines – Vagabonds - Attack Squadron flew the Douglas Skyhawk –
Jet Attack Bomber - Drone director - DX600 (TC) of the A4D-2

VMA-121 - Marines – Green Knights - Attack Squadron flew the Douglas Skyhawk –
Jet Attack Bomber - Drone director - VK800 (TC) of the A4D-2

Photos of Marine and Navy Aircraft during 1960 that flew onboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) http://www.usscoralsea.net/pages/lnr60s.html

[Batman47]

“The Air Wing was comprised of six squadrons and two detachments (elements of a parent squadron) which, acting in concert, perform the vital functions of attack, air intercept and support.

Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW-14) was comprised of highly accurate, light-attack weapons platform incorporation a number intricate computer systems adding in the precise deliverance of a variety of ordnance as is the case in the A-7E Corasir, flown by the Shrikes of VA-94 and Redcocks of VA-22, both based at NAS Lemoore, Ca. in 1978.

The first time onboard, CVW-14 embarked on Coral Sea in November 1979 in route to the Western Pacific.

The air wing’s fighter arm was comprised of two U.S. Marine Corps fighter squadrons, flying F-4N Phantom II’s. The Death Rattlers of VMFA-323 and the Grey Ghosts of VMFA-531 joined the CVW-14 team, marking the first time since World War II that two Marine fighter squadrons comprised the fighter arm of a Navy Air Wing. They Grey Ghosts were normally a part of the 3rd Marine Air Wing home based at MCAS El Toro.

VMFA-323 and VMFA-531 joined Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN officially on 1 July 1979, and for the first time since World War II, two Marine fighter squadrons deployed aboard a Pacific Fleet carrier. It was also the first time without a Navy fighter squadron in the air wing.

Captain Dave Rogers, USN, assumed command of CVW-14 aboard the USS Enterprise when the wing had F-14A Tomcats in place of the F-4Ns deployed onboard the Coral Sea. Captain Rogers or CAG, qualified in the RF-8G Crusader while attached to the Enterprise, bringing a total of 12 different types of aircraft he flew during his tour aboard the USS Enterprise. Prior to Captain Rogers’s assignment to the Coral Sea as CAG of CVW-14, CAG Rogers had flown 40 different types of military aircraft, with over 900 landings on 14 different carriers.

The Snakes were commanded by LTCOL Dave Denton, and were last deployed overseas during the Vietnam War between 1965 and 1969. During World War II they were one of the most highly decorated Marine squadrons and downed 124 enemy aircraft during the Okinawa campaign. During the Korean conflict, a Snake Corsair shot down a North Korean MIG-15 in aerial combat.

The Ghosts were commanded by LTCOL Gary Braun and were last deployed overseas in 1972 when they made a Mediterranean cruise in USS Forrestal (CVA-59). The squadron saw action in Vietnam deploying to DaNang in 1965. In 1978, the Ghosts received the Hanson Award in recognition of being the best fighter squadron in the Marine Corps.

CVW-14’s attack and early warning squadrons (VA-27, VA-97, VA-196 and VAW-113) have been with the wing for several years and made the USS Enterprise cruise. VA-27, commanded by Commander John McGrath, flew the A-7E Corsair II. VA-96, commanded by Commander Tom Woodka, flew the A-6F Intruder and VAW-113 under the command of Commander Dieter Olsen, flew the E-2B Hawkeye. Rounding out the air wing were VFP-63 Detachment 2’s RF-8G’s under the OinC, LCDR W. H. Reidelberger and HC-1 Detachment 3’s SH-3H’s with LCDR Richard Sadlier as OinC.

[Batman47]

On 5 August 1964, while onboard the USS Constellation (CV-64), CVW-14 conducted the first retaliatory air strikes against North Vietnam.

On 27 January 1973, CVW-14 squadrons also flew the last sorties of the Vietnam War, aboard the USS Enterprise.” (Ref. 3-Publication of the Tailhook Association, Volume 7, Number 3)

Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) mounts was in place prior to “Westpac.”

USS CORAL SEA (CV-43) with CVW-14 (13 Nov 1979 to 11 Jun 1980)

VMFA-323 Death Rattlers – Combat Squadron flew McDonnell-Douglas - Phantom II Jet Fighter - NK100 (C) on the F-4N http://www.usscoralsea.net/images/7980f4vmfa323.jpg

VMFA-531 Grey Ghosts – Combat Squadron flew the McDonnell-Douglas - Phantom II Jet Fighter - NK200 (TC) on the F-4N http://www.usscoralsea.net/images/7980f4vmfa531.jpg

VA-97 Warhawks – Attack Squadron flew the Vought - Corsair II – Jet attack aircraft - NK300 (TC) on the A-7E http://www.usscoralsea.net/images/7980a7va97.jpg

VA-27 Royal Maces – Attack Squadron flew the Vought - Corsair II – Jet attack aircraft - NK400 (TC) on the A-7E http://www.usscoralsea.net/images/7980a7va27.jpg

VA-196 Main Battery or Devil Spades – Attack Squadron flew the Grumman - Intruder - Jet Attack Bomber - Tanker - NK500 (TC) on the A-6E/A6-E/KA-6D http://www.usscoralsea.net/images/7980a6va196.jpg

VAW-113 Black Eagles - Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron flew the Grumman Hawkeye eqquiped wth Electronics - NK600 (TC) on the E-2B http://www.usscoralsea.net/images/7980e2vaw113.jpg

*VFP-63 DET 2 Eyes of the Fleet - Light Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron flew the Vought Crusader – Jet Fighter - Reconnaissance - NK620 (TC) on the RF-8G http://www.usscoralsea.net/images/7980f8vfp63.jpg

HC-1 DET 3 Pacific Fleet Angels - Helicopter Combat Support Squadron flew the Sikorsky Sea King – Anti-submarine - NK720 (TC) on the SH-3G http://www.usscoralsea.net/images/7980h3hc1.jpg

(Ref. 34, 35, 39, 41 & 76)
(*1) disestablished on Mar.1, 1978
(*2) disestablished on Mar.1, 1978
VFP or VF(P) - Light Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron or Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron or Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (Light) or Light Photographic Squadron.

References: http://www.uscarrierhistory.com/index_files/page0012.htm

Photos of Marine and Navy Aircraft during 1979/80 that flew onboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) http://www.usscoralsea.net/pages/lnr70s.html

or the example Photo History of the MAILCALLS greates collections of the Picture Gallery maintained at World War II Posters, Aircraft from the past to the present, Helicopters, Ships, Subs & Military Equipment http://community.fox6.com/forums/thread/896131.aspx

Aircraft of Uss Coral Sea (CV-43) and Nimitz: http://www.uscarrierhistory.com/index_files/page0005.htm

Photos of Ships during 79/80 Cruise: http://www.uscarrierhistory.com/index_files/page0008.htm

[Batman47]

“On 11 June 1980, USS Coral Sea (CV-43) with CVW-14 embarked (tail code NK) arrived Alameda, California, ending her 13th “Westpac” deployment operating with the Pacific Fleet (25 January 1960 to Present) and tour of duty with the 7th Fleet in the Far East, her first Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea deployment during the Iranian revolution & Iran Hostage Crisis ended. Arriving Hawaii the morning of the 21st of November 1979, supplies and provisions were loaded, and Coral Sea departed the following day, arriving at Pusan, Korea, 10 December 1979, for two days of liberty, departing 12 December 1979, arriving at Subic Bay, Republic of Philippines 20 December, remaining in port until 9 January 1980, during which time on 22 December, Captain Richard M Dunleavy, USN relieved Captain Stanley R. Arthur USN as CO to become the first Naval Flight Officer in history to command an aircraft carrier, with Commander Curtain, USN (frocked to Captain), the previous Operations Department Head, Dunleavy’s XO, departing Subic Bay, Coral Sea arrived Thailand 18 January 1980, departing two days later on the 20th for Singapore, five days out of Thailand, Coral Sea pulled into Singapore Bay for a four-day rest and relaxation liberty on the 25th of January 1980, departing on the 29th, the crew quickly got underway with operations, headed for the OPAREA just east of Singapore where the ship crossed deck with the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-43) on 30th January, loading of weapons, all variety of needed supplies, and mail, passing over the equator, the same day, the Shellback initiation was held off until the 2nd of February, due to the supplies from the cross decking on the flight deck, heading through the Malacca Straits, and then on track to the Indian Ocean on 31st January, arriving approximately 5 North of the equator, on 2 February 1980, Coral Sea entered the IMPERVIM NEPTVINI REGIS, spending two days standing down, cross-decking with USS Midway (CV-41) 4 February 1980, transferring supplies and crossing the two E-2B aircraft, while a turn over brief was also conducted between both ship’s officers. Coral Sea with CVW-14 Air Wing and Rear Admiral D. C. Chambers, COMCARGROUP THREE embarked, joined up with the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and her escort ships, operating in the North Arabian Sea on Gonzo Station 4 February 1980, established following the November 1979 takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Coral Sea was at sea 87 continuous days (29 January to 24 April 1980), when Operation Evening Light in support of the the top-secret mission “Operation Eagle Claw” began at about dawn on 24 April 1980, in connection with the Iranian crisis, when eight helicopters were launched from the Nimitz sailing in the Arabian Sea off the southeast Coast of Iran for there 600-mle flight to Desert One, the attempt to rescue 52 US Embassy American diplomats held hostage in Tehra,n Iran, while the mission was aborted in the Iranian Desert when the number of RH-53's operational helicopters fell below the minimum needed to transport the attack force and hostages out of Iran operating along side USS Nimitz (CVN 68), with her air wing, concluding operations the next day, Coral Sea remained on "GONZO" Station in the North Arabian Sea until relieved by USS Constellation (CV-64) 30 April 1980, herself reaching the eastern Indian Ocean when the unsuccessful 24 April 1980 raid to free American hostages took place, and after cross decking supplies and spare parts, Coral Sea had been in the Indian Ocean/North Arabian Sea 93 continuous days since her departure from Singapore 29 January 1980, arriving in the Indian Ocean 1 February 1980, steaming through the Malacca Straits 31 January 1980, arriving on "GONZO" Station in the North Arabian between 4 and 5 February, and was at sea nine days prior to Coral Sea’s arrival at Subic Bay 9 May 1980. Coral Sea was at sea 102 consecutive days at sea since her departure from Singapore Bay 29 January 1980, departing Subic Bay, R.P., spending a week in port, Coral Sea proceeded to Korea but while in direction, Coral Sea was ordered to the south of the Cheju-Do Islands in the Sea of Japan, following the potential of civil unrest in the Republic of Korea, arriving off Cheju-Do Islands in the Sea of Japan 22 May 1980, remaining on station off Cheju-Do Islands in the Sea of Japan until relieved by USS Midway (CV-41) 30 May 1980, arriving in Korea in June 1980, Coral Sea spent only a few days anchored prior to arriving Alameda, Calif., making port calls at Pusan, Korea; Subic Bay, R.P.; Pattaya Beach, Thailand and Singapore (NHC Battle Order p _).

[Batman47]

Reclassified CV-43 30 June 1975; involved in two Vietnam peace coast patrol cruises, ending with Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon 28 April 1975 during the evacuation of the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh 12 April 1975 in Operation Eagle Pull, while her first Vietnam peace coast patrol cruise was during Operation Homecoming (9 March 1973 to 11 August 1973), following six Vietnam War Combat cruises during the Vietnam Conflict/War (1 November 1965 to 17 July 1972), completing her 1st & 2nd Vietnam Expeditionary Force (VEF) deployments during her 1st & 2nd “Westpac,” (first CVA in the Bering Sea during 12 December 1961 to 17 July 1962 deployment). Her 13th foreign water deployment since her visit to Vancouver, B.C. (18 to 22 March 1960) when she deployed from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington upon completion of sea trials and a post-overhaul inspection and survey evaluation, commencing once recommissioned, following SCB 110A conversion (16 April 1957 to 25 January 1960) ended, decommissioned 24 April 1957, completing nine tours of duty in the Mediterranean Sea operating with the 6th Fleet (7 June 1948 to 13 August 1956); reclassified hull classification symbol CVA-43 1 October 1952. Her 24th deployment ended (13 November 1979 to 11 June 1980), since her commission 1 October 1947” (Ref.1-Coral Sea, 2-USS Coral Sea “Welcome Aboard” brochure, 34, 35 & 72).

When USS Coral Sea (CV-43) arrived in San Francisco tugboats spraying water greeted us. Other boats were they’re honking their horns. Many smaller boats were on hand but stayed a distance away from the ship. Flowers and confetti blanket of the ship were hung over the Golden Gate Bridge. The families of the crew were on the pier and ship horns Were announcing our arrival. It was quite a thing to see from the Ships Flight Deck.

Return Home Photos: http://www.uscarrierhistory.com/index_files/page0007.htm

Full Story: http://community.fox6.com/forums/905345/ShowThread.aspx#905345 OR

INDEX OF ENTERIES ON BLOG AT http://eqneedf.spaces.live.com

World War II Posters, Aircraft from the past to the present, Helicopters, Ships, Subs & Military Equipment

"Operation Evening Light” and “Operation Eagle Claw” (1980) Part I, II and II

USS CORAL SEA (CV-43)

THIRTEENTH “WESTPAC” DEPLOYMENT AND

FIRST INDIAN & ARABIAN SEA DEPLOYMENT

Iranian revolution & Iran hostage crisis

“Operation Evening Light” and “Operation Eagle Claw” (April 24, 1980)

Cheju-Do Islands in the Sea of Japan on the way home via Korea

(13 November 1979 to 11 June 1980)