Operation Ernest Will 1987-1989

Task Force 118 aboard the USS La Salle (LPD-3/AGF-3) in the Persian Gulf, Operation Prime Chance/ Operation Ernest Will.

Photo courtesy of Steve Delgado
Task Force 118

Operation Prime Chance, Navy Special Boat Crewmen battling high seas aboard their PB Mark III while performing patrol boat operating in the Persian Gulf in support of Navy efforts to provide security for US-flagged shipping…1989

Photo courtesy of Steve Delgado
Task Force 118

USS Fox CG-33 seen with tanker Gas Prince.

USS McClusky FFG-41 leads a convoy in November 1987. USS Okinawa is seen in the background with USS Chandler and tanker Courier. The convoy also included USS Gallery.

Cruiser USS William H Standley while escorting a convoy

USS Gallery FFG-26 follows a US flagged Kuwaiti tanker on an Earnest Will convoy.

A FFG-56 USS Simpson crew member gets some air.

A convoy seen from the rear, being escorted by USS Reuben James FFG-57 an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate with a SH-60B on the helo deck. The convoy appears to include a MSC tanker.

USS Gallery FFG-26 leaves her tanker charge, Persian Gulf 1987.

USS Long Beach CGN-9 and USS Bunker Hill CG-52 in the Gulf of Oman (1988).

Reposted

USS Jack Williams FFG-24 prepares to launch a RIM-66 SM-1MR SAM at a target during Operation Praying Mantis, April 1988. The target was Snakebite 22, SH-2F of HSL-33, Det 2 from USS O'Brien DD-975 which was misidentified as an enemy aircraft. The SH-2F pilot saw the SM-1 and placed his helo's wheels in the water which caused enough clutter for the SM-1 to miss. Note the same classified structure on front vetrep station as was fitted to USS Gallery (see earlier post).

Reposted

USS Kidd DDG-993 with SH-2F No 236 HSL-34, det 6 embarked in the Gulf in August 1987. USS Kidd was involved with the following convoys:

July 20-22: 87001 (North) USS Kidd, USS Crommelin FFG-37, USS Fox CG-33, MV Bridgeton, MV Gas Prince

August 1-4: 87002 (South) USS Crommelin, USS Kidd, MV Gas Prince

August 8-11: 87003 (North) USS Kidd, Crommelin, USS Jarrett FFG-33, USS Flatley FFG-21, MV Sea Isle City, MV Ocean City, MV Gas King

August 16-17- (South) USS Kidd, USS Klakring FFG-42, USS Crommelin, MV Gas Prince

August 19-21: 87004 (North) USS Kidd, USS Crommelin, USS Klakring, MV Gas Queen, MV Gas Prince, MV Townsend, convoy rendezvoused with USS Guadalcanal LPH-7).

Aug. 22 – 24 87005 (North) MV Bridgeton, Sea Isle City, Ocean City and Gas King, escorted by USS Kidd, USS Hawes FFG-53 and USS Klakring.
Photo: National Archives