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CHAPTER LX to LXVI, Appendix I (11 January to 18 August 1979) |
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A Sailors tale of his Tour of duty in the U.S. Navy (August 1977 to February 1983) Operation Evening Light and Eagle Claw - 24 April 1980
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Operations Evening Light and Eagle Claw (24 April 1980) Iran and Air Arm History (1941 to 1980)
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U. S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER SHIP HISTORY (1920 to 2019)
Book - ISBN NO. 978-1-4276-0465-1 EBook - ISBN NO. 978-1-365-25019-4 Library of Congress Control Number: 2008901616 (Book Version)
U. S. AIRCRAFT CARRIERS REDESIGNATED AND OR RECLASSIFIED (1953 to 2016)
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ENERGY QUEST AND U. S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER DEPLOYMENT HISTORY INVESTMENT CAPITAL REQUIRED TO PUBLISH 55 EIGHTH HUNNDRED PAGE BOOKS, EBOOKS & CD’s (48 Navy Books)
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USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) History Vol. I of III (27 December 1982 to 6 May 2003)
Book Vol. I of IV ISBN: TBA EBook Vol. I of IV ISBN: 978-1-365-73794-7
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) History Vol. II of III (7 May 2003 to 13 January 2010)
Book - ISBN NO. To Be Announced EBook - ISBN NO. 978-1-365-74027-5
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) History Vol. III of III (14 January 2010 to 31 December 2012)
Book - ISBN NO. To Be Announced EBook - ISBN No. 978-1-365-74145-6
USS Coral Sea CV-42 CVB-43 CVA-43 and CV-43 History and Those Aircraft Carriers Operating with Coral Sea During Her Tour of Service CONSTRUCTION to LAUNCHING and EARLY JET AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT (10 July 1944—2 April 1946) and a Tour of Duty in the U. S. Navy (August 1977 to February 1983)
ISBN: 9781434382917
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At sea in the Western Pacific, 30 November 1974. Good overhead showing stern of Midway after her 1966-1970 overhaul: note 3 deck-edge elevators, two to starboard (forward and abaft the island) and one to port. F-4s, A-6s, A-7s, E-2s and an SH-3 are shown on the flight deck - NS024105 - USN. http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/024105.jpg |
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U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, East China Sea and Sea of Japan and the Korea OPAREA to conduct TEAM SPIRIT 79 in the CHEJU-DO MODLOC and en route, will conduct a PASSEX J4-79 with JMSDF ship, JDS HARUNA (26 February to 17 March 1979) and conducted Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan), conducting Upkeep (18 March to 6 April 1979). (26 February to 6 April 1979). CHAPTER LX
“USS Midway (CV-41) with RADM M. S. Holcomb, COMCARGRU ONE, serving as Commander, Task Group, CTG-77.4 since 21 August 1978 assigned and CDR S. D. Langdon, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) embarked departed Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan) on 26 February 1979, with Captain Thomas Francis Brown III, NAVCAD, as Commanding Officer, as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, East China Sea and Sea of Japan and the Korea OPAREA to conduct TEAM SPIRIT 79 in the CHEJU-DO MODLOC and en route, will conduct a PASSEX J4-79 with JMSDF ship, JDS HARUNA” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
USS Midway (CV-41) with CVW-5 (NF) (26 February to 17 March 1979)
“USS Midway (CV-41) conducted PASSEX J4-79 with USS Hewitt (DD-966) and JAPANESE Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship, JDS HARUNA on 26 February 1979.
USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Transit to Korea from 26 to 28 February 1979” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
On 1 March 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) arrived in the CHEJU-DO MODLOC to begin participation in Exercise Team Spirit 79 commencing SSC, PHOTO, ESM Missions. Team Spirit is a large scale, JCS directed, CINCPAC sponsored, UNC (in coordination with ROK JCS) conducted, joint/combined, command post and field training exercise. The purpose of Team Spirit is to enhance the combat readiness of forces assigned as components and supporting forces of the United Nations Command, for the defense of the Republic of Korea.
USS Midway (CV-41) CVW-5 aircraft conducted CAP and CAS missions in support of the amphibious objective area (AOA) within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC from 2 to 4 March 1979.
USS Midway (CV-41) CVW-5 aircraft conducted Real world intercepts of two TU-95 BEAR “D”s within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC, Team Spirit MINEX BRAVO in the Chinhae Bay and final CAP and CAS in support of AOA on 5 March 1979. Midway conducted a MINEX ALPHA in the Chinhae Bay and CVW-5 aircraft made bombing missions to various South Korean ranges within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC on 6 March 1979. The same day, Midway ROK Ministry of National Defense film team arrived. Visitors included:
Mr. Lee, Jun Sung (Film Team) Mr. Yoon, Chung Kuk (Film Team) Mr. Jung, Kwang Chul (Film Team) LCDR Gagne (Escort) Mr. Kwon Tae (Interpreter).
During Team Spirit 79, USS Midway (CV-41) CVW-5 aircraft conducted bombing missions to various South Korean ranges within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC on 7 March 1979 and Bombing missions to various South Korean ranges in the Sea of Japan on 8 March 1979.
During Team Spirit 79, USS Midway (CV-41) CVW-5 aircraft conducted Real World intercept to two TU-16/BADGERS, during which time CVW-5 aircraft made twenty-one missions to South Korean bombing ranges on 9 March 1979 and CVW-5 aircraft made bombing and photo missions on 10 March 1979 in the Sea of Japan.
During Team Spirit 79, USS Midway (CV-41) CVW-5 aircraft conducted Real world intercept of two TU-16/BADGERS, during which time various bombing and photo missions that included a B-52 escort mission on 11 March 1979 and on 12 March 1979, two TU-16 BADGERS and two TU-95/BEARS were intercepted by CVW-5 aircraft in the Sea of Japan.
Prior to the end of Team Spirit 79, Lieutenant General G. G. Loving, USAF, Commander U. S. Forces Japan (COMUSFORJAPAN), a party of three other U. S. Air Force officials and CAPT Fleet, Aid-De-Camp were welcomed aboard by Rear Admiral Holcomb and Captain Brown, III, and were given a familiarization tour of the ship from 12 to 13 March 1979 while Midway was operating in the Sea of Japan. Additional Guests included:
COL McGrew, Deputy Chief of Staff/Plans COL White, Assistant Director of Operations COL Branan, Director of Maintenance Engineering
USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Combat Readiness Assessment Exercise (CREA) during which time CVW-5 aircraft flew various bombing and photo missions from 13 to 14 March 1979 within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC. A summary of CVW-5 aircraft air operations performed in support of the Combined Forces Command (CFC), in the amphibious objective area (AOA), and as required for Task Group 77.4 defense 010940I-151120I MAR 79 follows:
(a) SORTIES IN AOA
FRAG/FLOWN CAS 126/117 CAP 63/52 EW 10/09 AEW 9/9 PHOTO 9/7 TANKER 0/22 TOTAL 217/216
Ratio of AOA sorties flown/sorties fragged was 99.5 percent.
(b) SORTIES IN SUPPORT OF CFC
FRAG/FLOWN MINEX 68/21 CAS 43/44 INTERDICTION 469/407 DCA 8/6 EW/FAKER 9/10 PHOTO 33/21 EMERG AIR REQUEST 0/2 (BIRD FARM) TANKER 0/53 TOTAL 630/564
USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Combat Readiness Assessment Exercise (CREA) during which time CVW-5 aircraft flew various bombing and photo missions from 13 to 14 March 1979 within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC.
USS Midway (CV-41) conducted TEAM SPIRIT 79 in East China Sea and Sea of Japan from 1 to 15 March 1979. Upon arrival in the CHEJU-DO MODLOC to begin participation in Exercise Team Spirit 79, Midway commenced with SSC, PHOTO, ESM Missions. Team Spirit is a large scale, JCS directed, CINCPAC sponsored, UNC (in coordination with ROK JCS) conducted, joint/combined, command post and field training exercise. The purpose of Team Spirit is to enhance the combat readiness of forces assigned as components and supporting forces of the United Nations Command, for the defense of the Republic of Korea. Team Spirit was a large scale, JCS directed, CINCPAC sponsored, UNC (in coordination with ROK JCS) conducted, joint/combined, command post and field training exercise. The purpose of Team Spirit is to enhance the combat readiness of forces assigned as components and supporting forces of the United Nations Command, for the defense of the Republic of Korea. Within the Phases of the exercise, air operations were conducted to contribute to the exercise victory of United Nations Command Forces, by establishing and maintaining air superiority in the threat of operations, by providing close air support for friendly ground forces, by the interdiction of enemy war-making capabilities, and the execution of additional roles and missions which contribute to and support the war effort. Specific objectives of the exercise are:
(a) Improve readiness of participating forces. (b) Exercise and test procedures and capabilities for receiving and employing augmenting/supporting forces. (c) Provide Korean theater familiarization for augmenting forces (d) Exercise existing procedures and techniques for possible use in future contingencies. (e) Test new procedures and techniques for possible use in future contingencies.
This is the fourth Team Spirit exercise since its inception in June 1976. This is the first time, however, that the exercise has been under the operational control of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command. The three previous Team Spirit exercises were operationally controlled by the United Nations Command. Team Spirit 79 was also the largest exercise ever conducted in Korea. Indeed, with approximately 160,000 personnel participating, it is one of the largest exercises ever conducted by free world forces. Midway CVW-5 aircraft conducted CAP and CAS missions in support of the amphibious objective area (AOA) within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC from 2 to 4 March 1979; CVW-5 aircraft made Real world intercepts of two TU-95 BEAR “D”s within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC, Team Spirit MINEX BRAVO in the Chinhae Bay and CVW-5 aircraft made final CAP and CAS in support of AOA on 5 March 1979; MINEX ALPHA in the Chinhae Bay and CVW-5 aircraft made bombing missions to various South Korean ranges within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC on 6 March 1979.
The same day, Midway ROK Ministry of National Defense film team. Visitors included:
Mr. Lee, Jun Sung (Film Team) Mr. Yoon, Chung Kuk (Film Team) Mr. Jung, Kwang Chul (Film Team) LCDR Gagne (Escort) Mr. Kwon Tae (Interpreter)
Additional CVW-5 aircraft operations included bombing missions to various South Korean ranges within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC on 7 March 1979; CVW-5 aircraft made bombing missions to various South Korean ranges in the Sea of Japan on 8 March 1979; CVW-5 aircraft made Real World intercept to two TU-16/BADGERS, during which time CVW-5 aircraft made twenty-one missions to South Korean bombing ranges on 9 March 1979; CVW-5 aircraft made Bombing and photo missions on 10 March 1979 in the Sea of Japan; CVW-5 aircraft made Real world intercept of two TU-16/BADGERS; various bombing and photo missions that included a B-52 escort mission were made by CVW-5 aircraft on 11 March 1979; two TU-16 BADGERS and two TU-95/BEARS were intercepted by CVW-5 aircraft in the Sea of Japan on 12 March 1979. Prior to the end of Team Spirit 79, Lieutenant General G. G. Loving, USAF, Commander U. S. Forces Japan (COMUSFORJAPAN), a party of three other U. S. Air Force officials and CAPT Fleet, Aid-De-Camp were welcomed aboard by Rear Admiral Holcomb and Captain Brown, III, and were given a familiarization tour of the ship from 12 to 13 March 1979 while Midway was operating in the Sea of Japan. Additional Guests included:
COL McGrew, Deputy Chief of Staff/Plans COL White, Assistant Director of Operations COL Branan, Director of Maintenance Engineering
USS Midway (CV-41) departed the CHEJU-DO MODLOC on 16 March 1979 for a return transit to Yokosuka, conducting Transit to Yokosuka from 16 to 17 March 1979” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
“On 17 March 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) with RADM M. S. Holcomb, COMCARGRU ONE, serving as Commander, Task Group, CTG-77.4 since 21 August 1978 assigned and CDR S. D. Langdon, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) embarked arrived Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan), with Captain Thomas Francis Brown III, NAVCAD, as Commanding Officer, as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, East China Sea and Sea of Japan and the Korea OPAREA to conduct TEAM SPIRIT 79 in the CHEJU-DO MODLOC and en route, will conduct a PASSEX J4-79 with JMSDF ship, JDS HARUNA. Squadrons: VF-161, F-4J; VF-151, F-4J; VA-93, A-7E; VA-56, A-7E; VA-115, A-6E / KA-6D; VAW-115, E-2B; VMFP-3 Det., RF-4B; VMAQ-2 Det., EA-6A AND HC-1 Det. 2, SH-3G (26 February to 17 March 1979)” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
26/02/79 to 17/03//79
USS Midway (CV-41) Training as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier at Yokosuka, Japan operating with the 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific Region Summary (26 February to 17 March 1979) – Chapter, 60, Appendix I.
COMCARGRU/CTG-77.4; CTF 77 and or COMCARGRU FIVE/CTF 70 Commanders Cont’d
“On 19 March 1979, the crew of USS Midway (CV-41) bid a fond farewell to RADM Holcomb, COMCARGRU ONE as Commander, Task Group CTG-77.4 in the Western Pacific Region and Staff as they disembarked. COMCARGRU ONE Operational Commander’s Performance Report for the period from 1 January to 31 March 1979 reflected an overall performance of outstanding for Midway. Also on 19 March 1979, Rear Admiral H. D. Arnold, Commander Medium Attack Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing, U. S. Pacific Fleet (COMMATVAQWINGPAC) (Four Staff Officers), and Rear Admiral R. C. Mandeville, Commander Light Attack Wing, U. S. Pacific Fleet (COMLATWINGPAC) (Four Staff Officers), were welcomed aboard by Rear Admiral Holcomb and Captain Brown, III. Their entourage included eight staff officers.
Commander J. M. Nash relieved as Commanding Officer Fighter Squadron ONE SIX ONE by Commander A. L. Burgess on-board USS Midway (CV-41) on 27 March 1979. Vice Admiral Foley, COMSEVENTHFLT was the guest speaker.
USS Midway (CV-41) Marine Detachment established as ship’s department on 4 April 1979 (By MIDWAY NOTE 3500 of 12 April 1979, the Marine Detachment aboard MIDWAY was established as a separate department effective 1 April 1979 – two reported dates).
USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan), conducting Upkeep from 18 March to 6 April 1979. On the 6th, a four-man film team from the Republic of Korea's Ministry of National Defense Film and escorted by Lieutenant Commander Gagne, Public Affairs Officer of COMSEVENTFLT WESPACT DET, were welcomed aboard USS Midway (CV-41) by Commander D. S. Strole, the ship's Executive Officer, and Ensign R. D. Alexander, the ship's PAO. The crew was on a documentary filming mission and was allowed to film launches from the bridge and between cats and recoveries, from the LSO platform” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
Training as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier at Yokosuka, Japan operating with the 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific Region Summary (26 February to 17 March 1979). CHAPTER LX Appendix I
“On 17 March 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) with RADM M. S. Holcomb, COMCARGRU ONE, serving as Commander, Task Group, CTG-77.4 since 21 August 1978 assigned and CDR S. D. Langdon, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) embarked arrived Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan), with Captain Thomas Francis Brown III, NAVCAD, as Commanding Officer, as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, East China Sea and Sea of Japan and the Korea OPAREA to conduct TEAM SPIRIT 79 in the CHEJU-DO MODLOC and en route, will conduct a PASSEX J4-79 with JMSDF ship, JDS HARUNA. Midway conducted PASSEX J4-79 with USS Hewitt (DD-966) and JAPANESE Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship, JDS HARUNA on 26 February 1979. Midway conducted Transit to Korea from 26 to 28 February 1979. Midway conducted TEAM SPIRIT 79 in East China Sea and Sea of Japan from 1 to 15 March 1979. Upon arrival in the CHEJU-DO MODLOC to begin participation in Exercise Team Spirit 79, Midway commenced with SSC, PHOTO, ESM Missions. Midway CVW-5 aircraft conducted CAP and CAS missions in support of the amphibious objective area (AOA) within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC from 2 to 4 March 1979; CVW-5 aircraft made Real world intercepts of two TU-95 BEAR “D”s within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC, Team Spirit MINEX BRAVO in the Chinhae Bay and CVW-5 aircraft made final CAP and CAS in support of AOA on 5 March 1979; MINEX ALPHA in the Chinhae Bay and CVW-5 aircraft made bombing missions to various South Korean ranges within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC on 6 March 1979. The same day, Midway ROK Ministry of National Defense film team. Visitors included:
Mr. Lee, Jun Sung (Film Team) Mr. Yoon, Chung Kuk (Film Team) Mr. Jung, Kwang Chul (Film Team) LCDR Gagne (Escort) Mr. Kwon Tae (Interpreter)
Additional CVW-5 aircraft operations included bombing missions to various South Korean ranges within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC on 7 March 1979; CVW-5 aircraft made bombing missions to various South Korean ranges in the Sea of Japan on 8 March 1979; CVW-5 aircraft made Real World intercept to two TU-16/BADGERS, during which time CVW-5 aircraft made twenty-one missions to South Korean bombing ranges on 9 March 1979; CVW-5 aircraft made Bombing and photo missions on 10 March 1979 in the Sea of Japan; CVW-5 aircraft made Real world intercept of two TU-16/BADGERS; various bombing and photo missions that included a B-52 escort mission were made by CVW-5 aircraft on 11 March 1979; two TU-16 BADGERS and two TU-95/BEARS were intercepted by CVW-5 aircraft in the Sea of Japan on 12 March 1979. Prior to the end of Team Spirit 79, Lieutenant General G. G. Loving, USAF, Commander U. S. Forces Japan (COMUSFORJAPAN), a party of three other U. S. Air Force officials and CAPT Fleet, Aid-De-Camp were welcomed aboard by Rear Admiral Holcomb and Captain Brown, III, and were given a familiarization tour of the ship from 12 to 13 March 1979 while Midway was operating in the Sea of Japan. Additional Guests included:
COL McGrew, Deputy Chief of Staff/Plans COL White, Assistant Director of Operations COL Branan, Director of Maintenance Engineering
Midway conducted Combat Readiness Assessment Exercise (CREA) during which time CVW-5 aircraft flew various bombing and photo missions from 13 to 14 March 1979 within the CHEJO-DO MODLOC. A summary of CVW-5 aircraft air operations performed in support of the Combined Forces Command (CFC), in the amphibious objective area (AOA), and as required for Task Group 77.4 defense 010940I-151120I MAR 79 follows:
(a) SORTIES IN AOA
FRAG/FLOWN CAS 126/117 CAP 63/52 EW 10/09 AEW 9/9 PHOTO 9/7 TANKER 0/22 TOTAL 217/216
Ratio of AOA sorties flown/sorties fragged was 99.5 percent.
(b) SORTIES IN SUPPORT OF CFC
FRAG/FLOWN MINEX 68/21 CAS 43/44 INTERDICTION 469/407 DCA 8/6 EW/FAKER 9/10 PHOTO 33/21 EMERG AIR REQUEST 0/2 (BIRD FARM) TANKER 0/53 TOTAL 630/564
Team Spirit is a large scale, JCS directed, CINCPAC sponsored, UNC (in coordination with ROK JCS) conducted, joint/combined, command post and field training exercise. The purpose of Team Spirit is to enhance the combat readiness of forces assigned as components and supporting forces of the United Nations Command, for the defense of the Republic of Korea. Team Spirit was a large scale, JCS directed, CINCPAC sponsored, UNC (in coordination with ROK JCS) conducted, joint/combined, command post and field training exercise. The purpose of Team Spirit is to enhance the combat readiness of forces assigned as components and supporting forces of the United Nations Command, for the defense of the Republic of Korea. Within the Phases of the exercise, air operations were conducted to contribute to the exercise victory of United Nations Command Forces, by establishing and maintaining air superiority in the threat of operations, by providing close air support for friendly ground forces, by the interdiction of enemy war-making capabilities, and the execution of additional roles and missions which contribute to and support the war effort. Specific objectives of the exercise are:
(a) Improve readiness of participating forces. (b) Exercise and test procedures and capabilities for receiving and employing augmenting/supporting forces. (c) Provide Korean theater familiarization for augmenting forces (d) Exercise existing procedures and techniques for possible use in future contingencies. (e) Test new procedures and techniques for possible use in future contingencies.
This is the fourth Team Spirit exercise since its inception in June 1976. This is the first time, however, that the exercise has been under the operational control of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command. The three previous Team Spirit exercises were operationally controlled by the United Nations Command.
Team Spirit 79 was also the largest exercise ever conducted in Korea. Indeed, with approximately 160,000 personnel participating, it is one of the largest exercises ever conducted by free world forces. Midway departed the CHEJU-DO MODLOC on 16 March 1979 for a return transit to Yokosuka, conducting Transit to Yokosuka from 16 to 17 March 1979. Squadrons: VF-161, F-4J; VF-151, F-4J; VA-93, A-7E; VA-56, A-7E; VA-115, A-6E / KA-6D; VAW-115, E-2B; VMFP-3 Det., RF-4B; VMAQ-2 Det., EA-6A AND HC-1 Det. 2, SH-3G (26 February to 17 March 1979)” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
26/02/79 to 17/03//79
24th deployment, as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, on her 15th “WestPac,” her 25th South China Sea, on her fifth Indian Ocean deployment to what turned out to be her first of two I. O. deployments in 1979 and was directed to relieve the USS Ranger (CV-61) which had suffered a collision at sea, on her second Arabian Sea and 1st Gulf of Oman, on her first Gulf of Aden (7 April to 18 June 1979) and conducted Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan) (18 June to 19 August 1979), conducting Extended Incremental Selected Restricted Availability (EISRA) period, conducted by Ships Repair Facility (SRF) (21 June to 19 August 1979. (7 April to 19 August 1979). CHAPTER LXVI
“USS Midway (CV-41) with CDR S. D. Langdon, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) embarked and will embark RADM R. E. Kirksey, COMCARGRU THREE, serving as Commander, CTG-77.4 in the Western Pacific Region since 11 April 1979 and his Staff in the Philippines departed Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan) 7 April 1979, with Captain Thomas Francis Brown III, NAVCAD, as Commanding Officer, on her 24th deployment, as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, on her 15th “WestPac,” her 25th South China Sea, her fifth Indian Ocean deployment to what turned out to be her first of two I. O. deployments in 1979 and was directed to relieve the USS Ranger (CV-61) which had suffered a collision at sea, on her second Arabian Sea and 1st Gulf of Oman, on her first Gulf of Aden and will relieve USS Constellation (CV-64) as the Indian Ocean contingency carrier; redesignated CV-41, reclassifying a Multi-Purpose aircraft carrier on 30 June 1975. She will under go her 26th deployment since her second recommission 31 January 1970, following completion of a four-year conversion-modernization at the San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, arriving 11 February 1966, ending the year of 1965 upon arrival from her seventh “WestPac” deployment, operating with the Pacific Fleet and the 7th Fleet, her seventh South China Sea, on her first Vietnam Combat Cruise on “Yankee Station” in the Gulf of Tonkin in the Far East. She will under go her 32nd deployment since her first recommission upon completion of SCB-110 (August 1955 to 30 September 1957), decommissioning in August 1955 upon arrival from her World Cruise and first “WestPac” deployment, operating with the U.S. Atlantic Command (USLANTCOM) (Atlantic Fleet), operational control extending to the 2nd Fleet and Pacific Fleet and tour of duty with the 7th Fleet, on her first South China Sea deployment, for a five month SCB-110 modernization that included new innovations such as an enclosed bow and an angled flight deck to be installed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton Washington; redesignated CVA-41 on 1 October 1952. She will under go her 42nd Foreign Water Fleet Deployment (FWFD) since her commission 10 September 1945, having the destination of being the lead ship of her class, and the first to be commissioned after the end of lead ship of her class, and the first to be commissioned after the end of World War II” (Ref. 1-Midway, 72 & USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
USS Midway (CV-41) with CVW-5 (NF) (7 April to 18 June 1979)
“After getting underway Sixteen Japanese newsmen affiliated with local and worldwide circulated publications and American newsmen and two escorts were flown aboard USS Midway (CV-41) via C-2 on 7 April 1979. A command presentation, viewing of "Sea Legs" and a tour of the ship were provided. The purpose of the visit was mainly photographic coverage of the Midway. A command presentation, viewing of "Sea Legs" and a tour of the ship were provided. The purpose of the visit was mainly photographic coverage of the Midway.
Visitors were:
Mr. Tatsuo Saito Kyodo Wire Service Mr. Nobuyuki Chiba Kanagawa Shimbun Mr. Kenji Kanegae Asahi Shimbun Mr. George Kimura Koku Fan Magazine Mr. Masaharu Yamada Mainichi Shimbun Mr. Yasuo Kitazawa Tokyo Shimbun Mr. Tohru Igarashi Sankei Shimbun Mr. Ryuichi Teshima NHK TV Ms. Mutsuko Murakami Chicago Tribune Mr. Susumu Ono Koku Fan Magazine Mr. Toshio Kojima Reuters Wire Service Mr. Jim Foley Reuters Wire Service PH2 Chet King Pacific Stars and Stripes Mr. Neil Ulevich Associated Press Wire Service Mr. Mike Tharpe Wall Street Journal Mr. Bob Morton The News World LT E. L. Ahlwardt, Jr. COMNAVFORJAPAN PAO Mr. Hiromi Katsura COMNAVFORJAPAN PAO Translator” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
“On 11 April 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) arrived in Subic Bay for a short stay, embarking its new TG-77.4 Commander. RADM R. E. Kirksey, COMCARGRU THREE (11 April to 11 June 1979), disembarking to assume duties as Commander Strike Forces U.S. 7 Fleet (CTF 70) and COMCARGRU FIVE in August 1979 (11 June to 12 July 1979). Midway also loaded aboard the COMSEVENTHFLT Band and the US-3A and C-2A aircraft detachments. The pace was frantic, but all evolutions were accomplished successfully for the high speed transit to the Indian Ocean. EQNEEDF Note: Two different dates of assuming command in Midway Cruise Books, 1978-79 and 1979-80. Command History of 1979 states 19 March 1979, MIDWAY bid a fond farewell to CMOCARGRU ONE and Staff as they disembarked” (Ref. 1978 to 1979 Cruise Book Command and Staff, 1979 to 1980 Cruise Book - Command and Staff - https://www.navysite.de & USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979). https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-78/index_002.htm https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-80/index.html
“USS Midway (CV-41) entered the Indian Ocean on 15 April 1979, underway from Subic Bay from 12 to 14 April 1979 and then rendezvoused with USS Constellation (CV-64) as the Indian Ocean contingency carrier on 16 April 1979. Midway and her escort ships continued a significant American naval presence in the oil-producing region of the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. A personnel/material cross-deck was conducted in the Bay of Bengal” (Ref. 1-Midway, 72 & USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
“An F-4 suffers a complete hydraulic failure. The crew is ordered to do a controlled ejection 5 miles from the USS Midway (CV-41) operating in the Indian Ocean on 16 April 1979. After the ejection the plane turns towards the carrier but finally crashes one mile away. Both crewmembers of the F-4 are recovered safely” (Ref. 84A & USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
“While en route operations off Diego Garcia (l6-l8 April), USS Midway (CV-41) entered the Realm of King Neptunus Rex and cleansed 3380 "Slimy Wogs" including Captain T. F. Brown III, Commanding Officer of Midway and created brand new Shellbacks on the 18th!” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
“Having arrived off Diego Garcia, underway from 16 to 19 April 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) commenced intense flight operations with various exercises to hone the warfare capabilities of the task group.
USS Midway (CV-41) operations in the Vicinity of Diego Garcia from 20 to 22 April 1979 culminated with a SINKEX using live ordnance on 22 April 1979, departing the Central Indian Ocean area on 23 April 1979 for a westward transit to the Gulf of Aden.
USS Midway (CV-41) underwent Transit to Gulf of Aden from 23 to 27 April 1979. Upon arrival near the Gulf of Aden, the U. S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, the Honorable Marshall W. Wiley, paid a visit to Midway on the 27th and the following day, Air Commodore Eric Bennett, Commander of the Sultan of Oman Air Force and six Oman Air Force pilots were welcomed aboard by Rear Admiral Kirksey and Captain Brown, III. A tour of the ship was provided, which included observation of launch and recovery from the primary, spar bombing and DACM briefing at Ready Room No. 2” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Aden#/media/File:Gulf_of_Aden_map.png
“USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Joint PASSEX with FN Bouvet on 29 April 1979” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
“USS Midway (CV-41) was underway in the Gulf of Aden from 28 April to 3 May 1979.
USS Midway (CV-41) and her task group continued operations in the vicinity of the Gulf of Aden through 3 May 1979, highlighted by a joint PASSEX with the French ship BOUVET and then began her transit to Mombasa, Kenya on the 4th, during which time Midway/CVW-5 conducted a successful WASEX with the COMIDEASTFOR flagship, USS La Salle (AGF-3), former LPD-3 on 4 May 1979.
USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Transit to Mombasa, Kenya from 4 to 7 May 1979.
While en route Mombasa, Kenya from 4 to 7 May 1979, for a four day visit, Midway/CVW-5 conducted a successful WASEX with the COMIDEASTFOR flagship, USS La Salle (AGF-3), former LPD-3 on 4 May 1979 and then conducted a PASSEX with Kenyan PT boats on 7 May 1979.
USS Midway (CV-41) pulled in for a port call at Mombasa, Kenya on 8 May 1979. Pleasant and highlighted by VIP visits by Kenyan civil and military officials on 8 May that included:
Mr. Eliud Mahihu Provincial Commissioner, Coast Province Mr. Francis Tura Chairman Mombasa Municipal Commission COL E. Siman Mbilu Commander Kenyan Navy
“The Honorable W. J. LeMelle, United States Ambassador to Kenya, accompanied by his wife and son were welcomed aboard USS Midway (CV-41) by Rear Admiral Kirksey and Captain Brown, III on 9 May 1979. The visiting dignitary was hosted to a lunch in the Flag Mess followed by tours of the Flight Deck and the Navigation Bridge. The same day, Mr. H. Sizer, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U. S. Embassy in Oman and several officials of the Sultanate of Oman visited the Midway.
USS Midway (CV-41) departed Mombasa, Kenya on 12 May 1979 for operations off the Omani coast in the Arabian Sea.
http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/gulfofoman.htm
“USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Routine flight operations from 12 to 14 May 1979 off the Omani coast in the Arabian Sea, then on the 15th of May 1979, Midway was the object of a surveillance flight by two IL-38/MAY aircraft violating Incident at Sea Agreement by passing through Midway landing pattern. The aircraft were successfully intercepted but, during close-in surveillance of Midway, caused suspension of a launch when the IL-38's crossed the bow at 500 yards and 500 feet altitude. An Incident at Sea was reported.
USS Midway (CV-41) conducted a successful PASSEX with the French ship DUQUESNE on 17 May 1979 and CVW-5 aircraft made a intercept of two Soviet IL-38/MAY aircraft on 18 May 1979 while operating in the Arabian Sea.
USS Midway (CV-41) CVW-5 aircraft made a intercept of two Soviet IL-38/MAY aircraft on 22 May 1979 and made a intercept of two Soviet AN-12/CUB aircraft on 23 May 1979 while operating in the Arabian Sea.
USS Midway (CV-41) CVW-5 aircraft made a intercept of two Soviet IL-38/MAY aircraft on 25 May 1979 while operating in the Arabian Sea.
Commander S. R. Briggs relieved Commander S. D. Langdon as the new Air Wing Commander, Commander of CVW-5 in ceremonies held onboard USS Midway (CV-41) forecastle with Rear Admiral Kirksey as the guest speaker on 28 May 1979. This event was held while the ship was underway in the Arabian Sea. Also, on this day, officials of the Sultanate of Oman again visited Midway. Guests were:
His Highness Sayyid Fahar Bin Taymur, Deputy Secretary of Defense His Excellency Sheik Burayk Ibn Hamud Al-Ghaffari, Governor of Dhofar and Minister without Portfolio His Excellency Yousuf Al-Alawi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Harry Sizer, Deputy Chief of Mission, American Embassy Air Commodore Eric Bennet, Commander of the Sultanate of Oman Air Force.
During subsequent close-in surveillance flights USS Midway (CV-41) by two IL-38/MAY aircraft were incident free and took place on 18, 22, 23 (two IL-38/MAY/ two Soviet AN-12/CUB aircraft), 25 and 30 May 1979 while operating in the Arabian Sea.
On 1 June 1979, USS Midway (CV-41)/CVW-5 lost an F4J from VF-151 due to hydraulic failure after launch near the ship. Controller ejection and safe recovery of aircrew near the ship. Both crewmen were successfully rescued unharmed. The whole evolution was praised by Rear Admiral Kirksey as professionally conducted by all involved.
Bad weather forced USS Midway (CV-41) to depart the NJ op-area for CV-41 to relieve CV-43, south of Cheju-Do or "Kimchi Station". Flight Ops off Yokosuka were conducted. The ship then proceeded to Kimchi Station and relieved USS Coral Sea (CV-43) on 1 June 1980. CTF 70 shifted his flag on 1 June 1980 also and it was the first embarkation in CV-41 for COMCARGRUFIVE. RADM R. E. Kirksey, COMCARGRU THREE (11 April to 1 June 1979) and his staff flew from Midway back to Subic 3 June 1980 as the Korea crisis diminished and Midway returned to Yokosuka 4 June 1980. He also commanded the Seventh Fleet Battle Force since October 1979. EQNEEDF Note: Two different dates of assuming command in Midway Cruise Books, 1978-79 and 1979-80. Command History of 1979 states 19 March 1979” (Ref. 1978 to 1979 Cruise Book Command and Staff & 1979 to 1980 Cruise Book - Command and Staff - https://www.navysite.de). https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-78/index_002.htm https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-80/index.html
“USS Midway (CV-41) conducted operations in the Arabian Sea from 14 May to 3 June 1979 and moved easterly toward outchop of the Indian Ocean via the Malacca Strait en route to Subic Bay, R.P.” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
“RADM Kirksey and his staff flew from Midway back to Subic 3 June 1980 as the Korea crisis diminished and Midway returned to Yokosuka 4 June 1980. EQNEEDF Note: Two different dates of assuming command in Midway Cruise Books, 1978-79 and 1979-80. Command History of 1979 states 19 March 1979” (Ref. 1978 to 1979 Cruise Book Command and Staff & 1979 to 1980 Cruise Book - Command and Staff - https://www.navysite.de). https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-78/index_002.htm https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-80/index.html
“USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Indian Ocean Operations from 3 to 5 June 1979 en route to the Malacca Strait.
USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Transit to Malacca Strait from 6 to 7 June 1979.
On 6 June 1979, Commander J. Grafton relieved Commander G. Gasser as Operations Officer of USS Midway (CV-41) and on 7 June 1979 Midway entered the South China Sea en route Subic Bay.
While en route Subic Bay from 8 to 10 June 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) conducted weapons transfer with USS Mount Hood (AE-11) on 8 June. After the evolution with the Mount Hood, Vice Admiral Coogan, COMNAVAIRPAC, flew aboard for a visit via C-2A from NAS Cubi Point.
While en route Subic Bay from 8 to 10 June 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) conducted a successful CVW-5 MISSILEX.
USS Midway (CV-41) pulled alongside the ammunition pier at Nabasan, Subic Bay on 11/12 June 1979.
USS Midway (CV-41) departed Subic Bay. R.P. for a return trip to homeport, Yokosuka, on 14 June 1979, arriving on the 11th, alongside the ammunition pier at Nabasan from 11 to 12 June 1979, inport from 11 to 13 June 1979 (EQNEEDF Note: Command History Report Narative states “pulled alongside the ammunition pier at Nabasan on 12 June” but the schedule of events states: Pier-side weapons off-load at Nabasan Pier, Subic Bay (11 Jun – 12 Jun).
USS Midway (CV-41) made its Transit to Yokosuka from 14 to 17 June 1979. During the transit, CVW-5 supplied aircraft to participate in exercise "Cope Cherry" with the JASDF on 16 June 1979.
“On 17 June 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) with RADM R. E. Kirksey, COMCARGRU THREE, serving as Commander, Carrier Strike Force Seventh Fleet (CTF-77), Commander, Task Group, CTG-77.4 in the Western Pacific Region since embarking in the Philippines 11 April 1979 assigned and CDR S. R. Briggs, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), relieving CDR S. D. Langdon on 28 May 1979 embarked arrived Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan), with Captain Thomas Francis Brown III, NAVCAD, as Commanding Officer, on her 24th deployment, as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, on her 15th “WestPac,” her 25th South China Sea, on her fifth Indian Ocean deployment to what turned out to be her first of two I. O. deployments in 1979 and was directed to relieve the USS Ranger (CV-61) which had suffered a collision at sea, on her second Arabian Sea and 1st Gulf of Oman, on her first Gulf of Aden, relieving USS Constellation (CV-64) as the Indian Ocean contingency carrier. Ports of calls include: Subic Bay, R.P.; Mombasa, Kenya and Nabasan, Subic Bay. Squadrons: VF-161, F-4J; VF-151, F-4J; VA-93, A-7E; VA-56, A-7E; VA-115, A-6A / KA-6D; VAW-115, E-2B; VMFP-3 Det., RF-4B; VMAQ-2 Det., EA-6A and HC-1 Det. 2, SH-3G; redesignated CV-41, reclassifying a Multi-Purpose aircraft carrier on 30 June 1975. Her 26th deployment since her second recommission 31 January 1970, following completion of a four-year conversion-modernization at the San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, arriving 11 February 1966, ending the year of 1965 upon arrival from her seventh “WestPac” deployment, operating with the Pacific Fleet and the 7th Fleet, her seventh South China Sea, on her first Vietnam Combat Cruise on “Yankee Station” in the Gulf of Tonkin in the Far East. Her 32nd deployment since her first recommission upon completion of SCB-110 (August 1955 to 30 September 1957), decommissioning in August 1955 upon arrival from her World Cruise and first “WestPac” deployment, operating with the U.S. Atlantic Command (USLANTCOM) (Atlantic Fleet), operational control extending to the 2nd Fleet and Pacific Fleet and tour of duty with the 7th Fleet, on her first South China Sea deployment, for a five month SCB-110 modernization that included new innovations such as an enclosed bow and an angled flight deck to be installed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton Washington; redesignated CVA-41 on 1 October 1952. Her 42nd Foreign Water Fleet Deployment (FWFD) since her commission 10 September 1945, having the destination of being the lead ship of her class, and the first to be commissioned after the end of lead ship of her class, and the first to be commissioned after the end of World War II (7 April to 18 June 1979)” (Ref. 1-Midway, 72 & USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
07/04/79 to 18/06/79
USS Midway (CV-41) 24th deployment, as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, on her 15th “WestPac,” her 25th South China Sea, on her fifth Indian Ocean deployment to what turned out to be her first of two I. O. deployments in 1979 and was directed to relieve the USS Ranger (CV-61) which had suffered a collision at sea, on her second Arabian Sea and 1st Gulf of Oman, on her first Gulf of Aden Summary (7 April to 20 February 1979) – Chapter 61, Appendix I.
“While much needed yard work was underway onboard USS Midway (CV-41), commencing Extended Incremental Selected Restricted Availability (EISRA) conducted by Ships Repair Facility (SRF) on 21 June 1979 at Yokosuka, Japan, two additional CVW-5 squadrons changed commands after CDR L. C. Bryant relieved CDR R. P. Flower as CO of VA-56 19 June 1979, inport Yokosuka, Japan from 8 to 20 June 1979; CDR E. F. Mitchell relieved CDR C. S. Vaught of VA-93 on 22 June 1979 and CDR R. C. Franz relieved CDR L. E. Thomassy of VA-115 on 26 June 1979.
Work continued onboard USS Midway (CV-41) throughout June and July 1979 and was uneventful. The Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Rear Admiral W. M. Moore toured the ship during the morning of 26 July 1979.
Mr. Kamibayashi, Chairman of the International Friendship Committee, Yokosuka Rotary International Club, and several Japanese nationals were given a tour of USS Midway (CV-41) by Ensign King, Midway Public Affairs Officer on 2 August 1979. The same day, Bhuteshanonda Maharaja, an eighty-year-old Guru of Rama Krishna Vedanta Society, was hosted by Captain Brown, III, and given a tour of the ship.
USS Midway (CV-41) Extended Incremental Selected Restricted Availability (EISRA) conducted by Ships Repair Facility (SRF) went well until an unfortunate fire on the fourth deck took the life of a Japanese worker aboard Midway on 9 August 1979. The fire was caused by a rupture of an acetylene line and immediate ignition of hot work in progress in the space. Fourteen Midway personnel suffered smoke inhalation and were hospitalized, treated and released after an overnight stay in the NRMC Yokosuka” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
“On 11 April 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) arrived in Subic Bay for a short stay. RADM R. E. Kirksey, COMCARGRU THREE (11 April to 1 June 1979) assumed duties as Carrier Strike Force, U. S. Seventh Fleet and COMCARGRU FIVE in August 1979” (Ref. 1978 to 1979 Cruise Book Command and Staff & 1979 to 1980 Cruise Book - Command and Staff - https://www.navysite.de). https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-78/index_002.htm https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-80/index.html
“Captain Narita and five other Japanese officials were hosted to an afternoon tour of USS Midway (CV-41) on 17 August 1979.
USS Midway (CV-41) conducted Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan) from 18 June to 19 August 1979, conducting Extended Incremental Selected Restricted Availability (EISRA) period conducted by Ships Repair Facility (SRF) from 21 June to 19 August 1979” (Ref. USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979).
USS Midway (CV-41) 24th deployment, as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, on her 15th “WestPac,” her 25th South China Sea, on her fifth Indian Ocean deployment to what turned out to be her first of two I. O. deployments in 1979 and was directed to relieve the USS Ranger (CV-61) which had suffered a collision at sea, on her second Arabian Sea and 1st Gulf of Oman, on her first Gulf of Aden Summary (7 April to 18 June 1979). CHAPTER LXVI Appendix I
“On 18 June 1979, USS Midway (CV-41) with RADM R. E. Kirksey, COMCARGRU THREE, 11 April 1979 assigned and CDR S. R. Briggs, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), relieving CDR S. D. Langdon on 28 May 1979 embarked arrived Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan), with Captain Thomas Francis Brown III, NAVCAD, as serving as Commander, Carrier Strike Force Seventh Fleet (CTF-77), Commander, Task Group, CTG-77.4 in the Western Pacific Region since embarking in the Philippines Commanding Officer, on her 24th deployment, as the U. S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier operating with the 7th Fleet, in the Western Pacific Region, conducting Operations in the Pacific Ocean, on her 15th “WestPac,” her 25th South China Sea, on her fifth Indian Ocean deployment to what turned out to be her first of two I. O. deployments in 1979 and was directed to relieve the USS Ranger (CV-61) which had suffered a collision at sea, on her second Arabian Sea and 1st Gulf of Oman, on her first Gulf of Aden, relieving USS Constellation (CV-64) as the Indian Ocean contingency carrier. After getting underway Sixteen Japanese newsmen affiliated with local and worldwide circulated publications and American newsmen and two escorts were flown aboard Midway via C-2 on 7 April 1979. A command presentation, viewing of "Sea Legs" and a tour of the ship were provided. The purpose of the visit was mainly photographic coverage of the Midway. Visitors were:
Mr. Tatsuo Saito Kyodo Wire Service Mr. Nobuyuki Chiba Kanagawa Shimbun Mr. Kenji Kanegae Asahi Shimbun Mr. George Kimura Koku Fan Magazine Mr. Masaharu Yamada Mainichi Shimbun Mr. Yasuo Kitazawa Tokyo Shimbun Mr. Tohru Igarashi Sankei Shimbun Mr. Ryuichi Teshima NHK TV Ms. Mutsuko Murakami Chicago Tribune Mr. Susumu Ono Koku Fan Magazine Mr. Toshio Kojima Reuters Wire Service Mr. Jim Foley Reuters Wire Service PH2 Chet King Pacific Stars and Stripes Mr. Neil Ulevich Associated Press Wire Service Mr. Mike Tharpe Wall Street Journal Mr. Bob Morton The News World LT E. L. Ahlwardt, Jr. COMNAVFORJAPAN PAO Mr. Hiromi Katsura COMNAVFORJAPAN PAO Translator
Midway arrived in Subic Bay, R.P., for a short stay on 11 April 1979. Rear Admiral Kirksey, COMCARGRU THREE as CTG 77.4 Task Group, and his Staff embarked in Midway, conducting Transit to Subic Bay from 7 to 10 April 1979. Cargo movement of COMCARGRU THREE coordinated by Lieutenant Commander Lauerman was initiated. The cargo had to be moved from the USS Ranger (CV-61) at Alava Pier to the USS Midway at Leyte Pier. Midway provided 30 personnel to expedite the movement. Midway also loaded aboard the COMSEVENTHFLT Band, consisting of one officer, one chief and eighteen enlisted personnel who embarked the ship and the US-3A and C-2A aircraft detachments, consisting of two C-2 crew officers and four US-3 crew officers and a number of enlisted personnel embarked Midway for the Indian Ocean cruise. The pace was frantic, but all evolutions were accomplished successfully for the high speed transit to the Indian Ocean. Midway left Subic Bay on 12 April 1979 for a three day transit to the Malacca Straits en route the Indian Ocean. Midway entered the Indian Ocean on 15 April 1979, underway from Subic Bay from 12 to 14 April 1979 and then rendezvoused with USS Constellation (CV-64) as the Indian Ocean contingency carrier on 16 April 1979. Midway and her escort ships continued a significant American naval presence in the oil-producing region of the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. A personnel/material cross-deck was conducted in the Bay of Bengal. An F-4 suffers a complete hydraulic failure. The crew is ordered to do a controlled ejection 5 miles from the Midway operating in the Indian Ocean on 16 April 1979. After the ejection the plane turns towards the carrier but finally crashes one mile away. Both crewmembers of the F-4 are recovered safely. While en route operations off Diego Garcia (l6-l8 April), Midway entered the Realm of King Neptunus Rex and cleansed 3380 "Slimy Wogs" including Captain T. F. Brown III, Commanding Officer of Midway and created brand new Shellbacks on the 18th, Having arrived off Diego Garcia, underway from 16 to 19 April 1979, Midway commenced intense flight operations with various exercises to hone the warfare capabilities of the task group. Midway operations in the Vicinity of Diego Garcia from 20 to 22 April 1979 culminated with a SINKEX using live ordnance on 22 April 1979, departing the Central Indian Ocean area on 23 April 1979 for a westward transit to the Gulf of Aden. Midway underwent Transit to Gulf of Aden from 23 to 27 April 1979. Upon arrival near the Gulf of Aden, the U. S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, the Honorable Marshall W. Wiley, paid a visit to Midway on the 27th and the following day, Air Commodore Eric Bennett, Commander of the Sultan of Oman Air Force and six Oman Air Force pilots were welcomed aboard by Rear Admiral Kirksey and Captain Brown, III. A tour of the ship was provided, which included observation of launch and recovery from the primary, spar bombing and DACM briefing at Ready Room No. 2. Midway was underway in the Gulf of Aden from 28 April to 3 May 1979. Midway conducted Joint PASSEX with FN Bouvet on 29 April 1979 and Transit to Mombasa, Kenya 4 to 7 May 1979. Midway and her task group continued operations in the vicinity of the Gulf of Aden through 3 May 1979, highlighted by a joint PASSEX with the French ship BOUVET and then began her transit to Mombasa, Kenya on the 4th, during which time Midway/CVW-5 conducted a successful WASEX with the COMIDEASTFOR flagship, USS La Salle (AGF-3), former LPD-3 on 4 May 1979. While en route Mombasa, Kenya from 4 to 7 May 1979, for a four day visit, Midway/CVW-5 conducted a successful WASEX with the COMIDEASTFOR flagship, USS La Salle (AGF-3), former LPD-3 on 4 May 1979 and then conducted a PASSEX with Kenyan PT boats on 7 May 1979. Midway pulled in for a port call at Mombasa, Kenya on 8 May 1979. Pleasant and highlighted by VIP visits by Kenyan civil and military officials on 8 May that included:
Mr. Eliud Mahihu Provincial Commissioner, Coast Province Mr. Francis Tura Chairman Mombasa Municipal Commission COL E. Siman Mbilu Commander Kenyan Navy
“The Honorable W. J. LeMelle, United States Ambassador to Kenya, accompanied by his wife and son were welcomed aboard Midway by Rear Admiral Kirksey and Captain Brown, III on 9 May 1979. The visiting dignitary was hosted to a lunch in the Flag Mess followed by tours of the Flight Deck and the Navigation Bridge. The same day, Mr. H. Sizer, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U. S. Embassy in Oman and several officials of the Sultanate of Oman visited the Midway. Midway departed Mombasa, Kenya on 12 May 1979 for operations off the Omani coast in the Arabian Sea. Midway conducted Routine flight operations from 12 to 14 May 1979 off the Omani coast in the Arabian Sea, then on the 15th of May 1979, Midway was the object of a surveillance flight by two IL-38/MAY aircraft violating Incident at Sea Agreement by passing through Midway landing pattern. The aircraft were successfully intercepted but, during close-in surveillance of Midway, caused suspension of a launch when the IL-38's crossed the bow at 500 yards and 500 feet altitude. An Incident at Sea was reported. Midway conducted a successful PASSEX with the French ship DUQUESNE on 17 May 1979 and CVW-5 aircraft made a intercept of two Soviet IL-38/MAY aircraft on 18 May 1979 while operating in the Arabian Sea. CVW-5 aircraft made a intercept of two Soviet IL-38/MAY aircraft on 22 May 1979 and made a intercept of two Soviet AN-12/CUB aircraft on 23 May 1979 while operating in the Arabian Sea. CVW-5 aircraft made a intercept of two Soviet IL-38/MAY aircraft on 25 May 1979 while operating in the Arabian Sea. Commander S. R. Briggs relieved Commander S. D. Langdon as the new Air Wing Commander, Commander of CVW-5 in ceremonies held onboard Midway forecastle with Rear Admiral Kirksey as the guest speaker on 28 May 1979. This event was held while the ship was underway in the Arabian Sea.
Also, on this day, officials of the Sultanate of Oman again visited Midway. Guests were:
His Highness Sayyid Fahar Bin Taymur, Deputy Secretary of Defense His Excellency Sheik Burayk Ibn Hamud Al-Ghaffari, Governor of Dhofar and Minister without Portfolio His Excellency Yousuf Al-Alawi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Harry Sizer, Deputy Chief of Mission, American Embassy Air Commodore Eric Bennet, Commander of the Sultanate of Oman Air Force
During subsequent close-in surveillance flights Midway by two IL-38/MAY aircraft were incident free and took place on 18, 22, 23 (two IL-38/MAY/ two Soviet AN-12/CUB aircraft), 25 and 30 May 1979 while operating in the Arabian Sea. On 1 June 1979, Midway/CVW-5 lost an F4J from VF-151 due to hydraulic failure after launch near the ship. Controller ejection and safe recovery of aircrew near the ship. Both crewmen were successfully rescued unharmed. The whole evolution was praised by Rear Admiral Kirksey as professionally conducted by all involved. Midway conducted operations in the Arabian Sea from 14 May to 3 June 1979 and moved easterly toward outchop of the Indian Ocean via the Malacca Strait en route to Subic Bay, R.P. Midway conducted Indian Ocean Operations from 3 to 5 June 1979 en route to the Malacca Strait and Transit to Malacca Strait from 6 to 7 June 1979. On 6 June 1979, Commander J. Grafton relieved Commander G. Gasser as Operations Officer of Midway and on 7 June 1979 Midway entered the South China Sea en route Subic Bay. While en route Subic Bay from 8 to 10 June 1979, Midway conducted weapons transfer with USS Mount Hood (AE-11) on 8 June. After the evolution with the Mount Hood, Vice Admiral Coogan, COMNAVAIRPAC, flew aboard for a visit via C-2A from NAS Cubi Point. While en route Subic Bay from 8 to 10 June 1979, Midway conducted a successful CVW-5 MISSILEX. Midway pulled alongside the ammunition pier at Nabasan from 11 to 12 June 1979, inport from 11 to 13 June 1979 (EQNEEDF Note: Command History Report Narrative states “pulled alongside the ammunition pier at Nabasan on 12 June” but the schedule of events states: Pier-side weapons off-load at Nabasan Pier, Subic Bay (11 Jun – 12 Jun). Midway departed Subic Bay. R.P., for a return trip to homeport, Yokosuka, on 14 June 1979. Midway made its Transit to Yokosuka from 14 to 17 June 1979. During the transit, CVW-5 supplied aircraft to participate in exercise "Cope Cherry" with the JASDF on 16 June 1979. Ports of calls include: Subic Bay, R.P.; Mombasa, Kenya and Nabasan, Subic Bay. Squadrons: VF-161, F-4J; VF-151, F-4J; VA-93, A-7E; VA-56, A-7E; VA-115, A-6A / KA-6D; VAW-115, E-2B; VMFP-3 Det., RF-4B; VMAQ-2 Det., EA-6A and HC-1 Det. 2, SH-3G; redesignated CV-41, reclassifying a Multi-Purpose aircraft carrier on 30 June 1975. Her 26th deployment since her second recommission 31 January 1970, following completion of a four-year conversion-modernization at the San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, arriving 11 February 1966, ending the year of 1965 upon arrival from her seventh “WestPac” deployment, operating with the Pacific Fleet and the 7th Fleet, her seventh South China Sea, on her first Vietnam Combat Cruise on “Yankee Station” in the Gulf of Tonkin in the Far East. Her 32nd deployment since her first recommission upon completion of SCB-110 (August 1955 to 30 September 1957), decommissioning in August 1955 upon arrival from her World Cruise and first “WestPac” deployment, operating with the U.S. Atlantic Command (USLANTCOM) (Atlantic Fleet), operational control extending to the 2nd Fleet and Pacific Fleet and tour of duty with the 7th Fleet, on her first South China Sea deployment, for a five month SCB-110 modernization that included new innovations such as an enclosed bow and an angled flight deck to be installed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton Washington; redesignated CVA-41 on 1 October 1952. Her 42nd Foreign Water Fleet Deployment (FWFD) since her commission 10 September 1945, having the destination of being the lead ship of her class, and the first to be commissioned after the end of lead ship of her class, and the first to be commissioned after the end of World War II (7 April to 18 June 1979)” (Ref. 1-Midway, 72, 84A, 1182A, USS MIDWAY Command History for Calendar Year 1979 & 1978 to 1979 Cruise Book Command and Staff & 1979 to 1980 Cruise Book - Command and Staff - https://www.navysite.de). https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-78/index_002.htm https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv41-80/index.html
07/04/79 to 18/06/79
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