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 Indian Ocean. 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 USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Midway (CV-41), USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Independence (CV-62), USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Coral Sea (CV-43), USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). Oilers detached to Gonzo Station USS Roanoke (AOR-7) The United States Warship "The Roanoke" proudly served in formation 180 days. The normal rotation (three months). Navy Oilers served with replenishment at sea, gassing up the flotilla. Keeping the ships underway and birds on ops. On two.