Indian Ocean Cruise (11 Apr - 13 Oct 1987) - Connie conducted air operations in support of Operation Earnest Will, the escorting of re-flagged Kuwaiti tankers in the Persian Gulf as a result of Iranian attacks against international shipping. As a result, the crew of the battlegroup was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for their service. See: http://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv64-87/index.html