Indian Ocean / Med Cruise (Nov 1980 - June 1981) Carrier Group Eight (CCG 8) - RADM James E. "Snake" Service CCG 8 N2: CDR W.D. Poellnitz & LT R.E. Marshall (Asst) USS Independence (CV-62) - CAPT Thomas E. Shannahan CVIC - CDR J.E. Davis, LCDR J.E. Newman, LT J.D. Stewart, ENS R.A. Bozo Airwing Six (CVW 6) - CDR T.W. Wright (CAG), LT Larry Danforth (CVW IO) Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 122 (VAW-122) - CDR "Rock" B. Teague Squadrons: 2x VF F4, 1x VA A6, 2x A7, VAQ EA6, VS S3,VFP RF8, VQ EA3, HS SH3
Workups - Portcalls in St Thomas and Fort Lauderdale.
Indian Ocean/Mediteranean Cruise (19 Nov 1980 - 10 Jun 1981) - Circumnavigated the continent of Africa. Naval Base Norfolk, VA, "cross the line" Shellback ceremony vicinity of the Azores, around the Cape of Good Hope, Pope John Paul II Assassination Attempt (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II_assassination_attempt), "Gonzo Station" North Arabian Sea for Iranian Hostage Crisis, port of calls at Perth, Austrlalia and Port Louis, Mauritius, back through Red Sea and Suez Canal into Mediteranean Sea, through Straits of Gibraltar and across Atlantic Ocean back to Norfolk, VA!
19 Nov 1980 - Independence BG deployed to the Indian Ocean. 29 Nov - Crossing the line ceremony vic of Ascension Island in mid-Atlantic. Christmas & New Years - GONZO Station
20 Jan 1981 - Hostages released following 444 days captivity Feb - Perth, Australia 2-5 Apr - Port Louis, Mauritius 15 May - 1st carrier to transit the Suez Canal northbound, shortly after America (CV-66) had transited southbound, making America the first United States Navy carrier (and, thus, Independence the second) to transit the Suez Canal since Intrepid (CV-11) in 1967. xx Jun - ADM Hayward, CNO visits Indy prior to outchop Med 10 Jun - Return to Norfolk
See: http://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/62-81/index.html
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