Gonzo Station

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Gonzo Station was a U.S. Navy euphemism used to designate an area of carrier-based operations in the North Arabian Sea. The station was regularly patrolled by carrier task forces during the Iran hostage crisis and the so-called Tanker War between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Carriers on Gonzo Station normally rotated on three-month cruises before being relieved by another task force. Following Operation Desert Storm, the area of the North Arabian Sea grew less in strategic importance as Gonzo Station was too far away to respond to operational needs in Iraq and the Northern Persian Gulf. As a result, the area of the north Arabian Sea is considered today a "transit area."

Several U.S. Navy carriers served on Gonzo Station, including the U.S.S. Midway (CV-41), Enterprise (CVN-65), Independence (CV-62), Constellation (CV-64), and Coral Sea (CV-43), USS NIMITZ (CVN-68), USS EISENHOWER (CVN-69).

The U.S.S. Roanoke AOR-7 was never commended for her time at sea. She was a inexpendible source of JP-5 refueling all commands. Detatched to her was Lt.Commander Tea's squandron of helo's, the very ones who made the hostage rescue attempt that later had the Roanoke as the caboose of the flotilla. However, detached to the Roanoke, ( named after a Virginian river ) was a trident sub, who's name escapes me. Lt.Cmdr tea served with us under Captain Duke Hernandez, an Annapolis fighter pilot who had put in time over Hanoi and was bucking for a carrier. ( the draft of an oiler gives optimum capacitation for the airdale prospecting to soar amongst the celestials ) We, the crew of the Roanoke spent more consecutive time at sea than any other command up to that time. The press back home boasted of some carrier doing a record time at sea. We nearly doubled that. Give credit where credit is do. I believe we were commended with the battle "E".