February 16, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway for Day 37 of MEF 1-88. Worked midnight - 7 am & 7 pm - midnight. General quarters most of the day, went through the Straits of Hormuz and entered the .

147 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

February 17, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway for Day 38 of MEF 1-88. Worked midnight - 7 am & 7 pm - midnight. Pulled into Sitra Anchorage in Bahrain.

146 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Navy’s Vital Home Port in Persian Gulf: U.S.-Bahraini Ties: A Delicate Balance

February 18, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were anchored at Sitra Anchorage Bahrain for Day 39 of MEF 1- 88. Worked midnight - 7 am & 7 pm - midnight. 2 1/2 hours sleep. Went on liberty in Bahrain with Artie Dirocco. Went to the "mall", ate pizza, and called home. "Pretty wild place."

145 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Shane Dietert: I liked Bahrain. I had a good time. I’m not sure when but there’s was one time when we anchored there someone fell between the floating dock and the water taxi. Bob Lewis: Frank wasn’t it? Shane Dietert: Bob Lewis I believe you’re right Bob. It was Scott Frank.

February 19, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were anchored at Sitra Anchorage Bahrain for Day40 of MEF 1- 88. Worked midnight - 7 am. 3 hours sleep. Went on liberty in Bahrain. Played volleyball & basketball at ASU Bahrain. Went downtown and walked around/shopped some. Found some interesting people.

144 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Gary Goodale: I am really loving all of these posts that you have made over the last 40 days, it really explains the shit hole we were in when we were over there.

Iranian gunboats are flying the flags of neutral Persian Gulf nations to enable them to surprise and attack merchant ships in the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates, the Bahrain-based Gulf News reported. The gunboats are manned by Iranian Revolutionary Guards and cannot be distinguished from fishing boats that ply the waters off the busy southern gulf coast, the newspaper said, quoting shipping sources. The sources refused to name the ship that sighted the disguised gunboats for fear of Iranian retaliation, the Bahraini newspaper said. Meanwhile, a French warship found and destroyed a mine drifting in the northern Persian Gulf, French naval officials said.

February 20, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 41 of MEF 1-88. Worked midnight - 7 am and 7 pm - midnight. The Navy was beginning RIF (Reduction in Force) and I found out my my extensions in the Navy past 4 years may be terminated, so I may be getting out of the Navy in May. Received mail.

143 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Michael McCarey: Wow, the plot thickens. Can't wait to see how this one turns out. Shane Dietert: I hope it has a different ending this time. LOL Tony Dizillo: I know Shane, I hope I have a very quiet birthday in April.

The Associated Press MANAMA, Bahrain The marine radio in Qatar issued warnings Friday to vessels in the Persian Gulf after a ship reported what appeared to be a mine off the sheikdom's western coast. The radio advised ships to stay clear of the area between Qatar, which juts north into the gulf from the Arabian Peninsula, and the island nation of Bahrain. Shipping executives said a ship that did not identify itself reported sighting an object that was "black, with points." There was no confirmation that it was one of the numerous mines sown in the gulf since the Iranian-Iraqi war began.

February 21, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 42 of MEF 1-88. Worked midnight - 7 am and 1 pm - 7 pm with a 2 hour general quarters during the day. Confirmed I will be getting out of the Navy in May. "Have the short timers blues!". Passed a burning oil rig that was attacked back in December.

142 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Tony Avery: Doug Thomas forgive my memory— was it your choice to leave the Navy? Doug Thomas: In the end, yes it was. The story gets a bit cloudy as time will tell...... Tony Avery: 1 more question...counting days to return to Newport. If you left in May, you would not have completed the tour with the Sammy B and returned to Newport? Doug Thomas: You are correct. If I took the early out, I would leave the Sammy B early and return to Newport for discharge. Michael McCarey: Short timers "blues"? Not how I remember it. LOL Tony Dizillo: Short timers excitement, I had that in Italy on way back to Gulf in '90.

February 22, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 43 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Met with the CO/XO and it appears I will be discharged from the Navy on May 13. Had a flight deck bbq.

141 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Brad Gutcher: Great shot of Sk1 Thompson. Miss that guy. Anyone know where he is.

February 23, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 44 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Me & Michael McCarey were confronted by RMC Williams about staying and both said no way.

Time for some clarification/soul bearing. I have had personal issues over the years with my decision at the time to leave the ship while it was in the Persian Gulf. Looking back as a much older adult, I realize it wasn't the best decision. But you have to realize who I worked for (RMC). It seemed he took every chance he could to make my life miserable. Even in my Coast Guard years, I had no desire to ever make E-7 because of him. Until one day I had a great mentor point out "Why don't you make E-7 and be the Chief that he wasn't?" Anyway, I'm ok with it looking back at the bigger picture of life, but just one of those small pieces of the puzzle that make up who I am.

140 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Michael McCarey: Doug, we both had similar paths to this day. For some of the same reasons, I was willing to opt out. In hindsight, I am happy how it turned out. But a few years later the effects of this deployment, however, caused me to leave the Navy after 10 years. Shane Dietert: I thought about re-enlisting or joining the reserves. Because of him I didn’t do either. He impacted a lot of people in a negative way. Jodie Juneau Parmer: I so very much understand leaving a job (retiring, in my case) because of a superior who makes the lives of their employees miserable. It's sad that a good career has to end on such a bad note. Doug Thomas: Sorry to hear that, Jody!!! But it sounds like you know exactly what I'm talking about.

MANAMA, Bahrain A U.S. warship, arriving in the Persian Gulf on Monday as the newest addition to the Navy's escort squadron, fired machine-gun warning shots to chase away two fishing boats that ventured too close. Although the craft proved to be harmless, a U.S. official said, the boats at first appeared to be Boston Whaler-type vessels, often used by 's Revolutionary Guards to attack commercial shipping. The official said the Trenton fired after the boats approached within 3,300 yards of a U.S. , 30 miles off the coast of Dubai, at about 3 p.m. He said the ship issued verbal warnings that were not heeded

U.S. Warning Iraq to Control Planes or Risk Losing Them

February 24, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 45 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm.

139 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Public Relations Coup in Gulf of Oman: U.S. Navy Mounts Daring Rescue - - For Whale

February 25, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 46 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Received mail and was thinking of home a lot, woke up at 3:30 am and was unable to get back to sleep before watch at 7.

138 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

February 26, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 47 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Woke up at 3:30 am again. Slow day, possibly pulling into Bahrain on March 15.

137 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

February 27, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 48 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Woke up at 3:30 am again.

136 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Paul Purpura: I do not remember the USS Stark incident. The Attack on USS STARK at 30 Mark Wasnock: I set this up as a PowerPoint. Remembering USS STARK (FFG-31) Paul Purpura: Mark Wasnock this is very moving. Thank you. I do recall this incident now.

The Associated Press MANAMA, Bahrain Rear Adm. Anthony A. Less took command Saturday of the U.S. Navy's escort squadron in the Persian Gulf, inheriting a force that U.S. officials say has lost no clout despite a cutback in strength. Hours before the ceremony, two U.S. warships sailed through the Strait of Hormuz into the gulf to complete the restructuring that leaves 25 American warships in the region, including 16 in the gulf-based Middle East Force. Less, a career aviator who once commanded the Navy's famed "Blue Angels" jet acrobatics team, became the 36th commander of the Middle East Force in a shipboard ceremony that dates back to the British navy at the. time of the American Revolution in 1776. Government officials and gulf area diplomats attended the wind-chilled, sunset event aboard the 17,000-ton amphibious assault ship Coronado, newly designated flagship of the Middle East Force. The force has operated in the gulf since 1949, assigned to represent and protect U.S. national interests in the vital oil waterway. It attracted little recent attention until last year's controversial decision by the Reagan administration to register 11 Kuwaiti tankers under the U.S. flag, qualifying them for American protection from Iranian attack. Following that move, and the May 17 attack by an Iraqi jet on the U.S. frigate Stark in which 37 Americans were killed, the Navy's forces in the region grew to a peak strength of nearly 40 ships.

February 28, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 49 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 1 pm and 7 pm - midnight. Woke up at 3 am again.

135 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

February 29, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 50 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 - 7 am and 7 - 12 pm. Playing chase with Iranian SAAM frigate and received mail.

134 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iraq initiated the 52-day "War of the Cities, where the Ba'ath fired 190 "Al-Hussein" at Iran, and the clerics launched 80 Scud-B's and some 250 domestically produced Oghab missiles at Iraq.

Baghdad and Teheran Exchange Missile Attacks

March 1, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 51 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 - 7 am and 7 - 12 pm. Had a flight deck BBQ and it was holiday routine on the ship.

133 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

March 2, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 52 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 - 7 am and 7 - 12 pm. Playing chase with Iranian SAAM frigate and received mail.

132 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iraq’s Missile Attacks Escalate Gulf War

March 3, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 53 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 - 7 am and 7 - 12 pm. Slow day.

131 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

March 4, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 54 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 - 7 am and 7 - 12 pm. The barge Wimbrown VII was attacked by speed boats in the Northern Persian Gulf. The USS JOHN A MOORE (FFG-19) engaged them with their 76mm gun. The Sammy B is heading to the Northern Persian Gulf now!!!! The Wimbrown VII was one of two "supply barges" that were utilized for OPERATION PRIME CHANCE.

130 days before returning home to Newport, RI. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Prime_Chance

Photo courtesy of "Inside The Danger Zone" by Harold Wise.

March 5, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Northern Persian Gulf for Day 55 of MEF 1- 88. Worked 12 - 7 am and 7 - 12 pm. Patrolling the Northern Persian Gulf protecting the "Supply Barges" Hercules & Wimbrown VII. The sea bats from the USS SIMPSON (FFG-56) are fired at. Here are a few pictures of our badass Magnum 447 & detachment.

129 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Speedboat charges toward U.S. warship: "The 21-foot boat stopped when a helicopter from the Simpson's sister ship, the USS Samuel B. Roberts, hovered directly in its path, blasting it with its propeller wash."

Wonder where the SIMPSON's helo was??????

Some background for this picture. When we left Bahrain the last time, we had a stowaway: an African Ring- necked Parrot. I believe it was Bobby Bun who caught him in the helo hanger and named him Airedale.

March 6, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Northern Persian Gulf for Day 56 of MEF 1- 88. Worked 12 - 7 am and 7 - 12 pm. Slow day. I'm not exactly sure of the day, I didn't record it, but it was during this time the following happened. I was ordered to the Wardroom. I get there and there is an Officers meeting going on. I stand to the side until it was over, and then CAPT Paul Rinn calls me over and tells me to have a seat to his left. I was getting some stares from the Officers like "He is actually sitting at the table with the Captain?" Not a common place for a lowly E-5, even as much interaction as Radioman had with him. I don't remember the exact conversation, but in essence, CAPT Rinn was personally asking me if I would stay with the Sammy B and not take the early separation, that I was needed in Radio for a successful deployment. This had an unbelievable impact on me and I told CAPT Rinn that I would stay for the duration of the deployment.

128 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Sandra Spivey: Until we look back, we don't realize a life-changing moment. Doug Thomas: You are correct about that!!!! I look back at my years at Slocomb the same way. You & Fay Eldridge had a huge hand in molding who I became. Sandra Spivey: From those humble, ordinary days, who knew that you would endure hardship. God trusted you with your battle scars because you are so loyal to your realm of influence. One day you may look back on these days and understand why you had to go through what you did to get to where you are (All God's timing) Paul Purpura: Great post. Keep them coming! John Preston: That's cool, Doug. I didn't recall that you were possibly leaving during that deployment. Glad you stayed! Love ya man! Bob Grafing: Glad you did stay—NHH

March 7, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Northern Persian Gulf for Day 57 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Slow day, received mail.

127 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iranian Gunners Fired Machine Guns at Two U.S. Helicopters

March 8, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Northern Persian Gulf for Day 58 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Slow day, 2 different times Iraqi F-1's came within 10 miles of us.

126 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Kris Finkenbeiner: Wow! Not a very quiet float! Doug Thomas: It was very interesting day to day back then!!!!!

MANAMA, Bahrain - Six U.S. Navy ships assembled in the southern Persian Gulf on Monday, prompting rumors of retaliation for an Iranian attack on American helicopters, but the Navy called the ship movements routine. Meanwhile, a senior Syrian government official reportedly has said in Damascus that Syria has won a "guarantee" from Iranian leaders, after mediation between Tehran and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, to halt attacks on oil tankers flying flags of the gulf Arab states. Iran said Monday that its antiaircraft batteries fired on two helicopters over the weekend, forcing them to withdraw, because the helicopters ignored a warning to stay clear of an "Iranian zone" in the gulf. The issued a similar account earlier. Rumors of Navy action spread through shipping circles in the gulf when six U.S. vessels were spotted off Dubai. They included a chartered tanker and combat stores ship. The Navy denied the rumors. "We wouldn't be planning an attack with a supply ship," Lt. Cmdr. Mark Van Dyke said. Tehran's official Islamic Republic News Agency said the helicopters were forced to flee by anti-air craft fire. U.S. officials had said American helicopters took evasive action" after machine guns were fired from an oil platform and several small boats during a scouting mission ahead of the missile frigate USS Simpson. They did not say how many helicopters were involved. Neither report gave the location of the oil platform or identified it, but the American version said it was not the Rostam platform, which four U.S. destroyers shelled Oct. 19. Rostam has been reported under repair since the raid, described by U.S. officials as a "measured response" to an attack in which an Iranian "Silkworm" missile damaged a U.S.-flagged Kuwaiti tanker anchored at 's main oil terminal. At the time, the U.S. officials said more severe reprisals could be expected if Iran attacked other American ships or aircraft. Since last July, U.S. warships have protected Kuwaiti tankers sailing under the American flag. Eleven of the sheikdom's tankers have been given U.S. registration. The Rostam precedent combined with the sighting of the six ships to encourage the rumors of U.S. plans for retaliation. Navy officers said two of the ships, the guided missile frigates Copeland and Gary, were learning the ropes as new members of the gulf-based fleet, the Middle East Force. They were escorting the 18,000-ton stores ship San Jose and the 39,000-ton oiler L.H. Gianella, both on resupply missions, Van Dyke said. He said it was "just coincidental" that the four ships were spotted near the missile cruiser Wain-wright and missile frigate John A. Moore, which have been in the gulf for weeks and were on "routine escort duty" off Dubai. In the Navy's gulf operation, which has been cut to 16 from 17 ships, the Copeland and Gary are expected to replace sister frigates McClusky and Reuben James, the next vessels slated to depart under Navy policy that limits duty tours to six months, port-to-port. Iran's account of the helicopter incident said, "Two U.S. helicopters attempting to approach an Iranian zone in the Persian Gulf early Sunday were forced to flee by the anti-aircraft fire of naval forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. "The navy anti-aircraft detected the two helicopters on its radar and warned them to stay out of the Iranian zone. However, the Iranian navy fired warning shots after the U.S. helicopters violated the Iranian zone."

March 9, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Northern Persian Gulf for Day 59 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Slow day.

125 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

March 10, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 60 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Completed a vertical replenishment with the USS TRENTON (LPD-14). This is where they would deliver supplies to us via helicopter.

124 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Jerry Robertson: We, HSL-44 Det 5, called the USS Trenton home following the Mine strike. NHH Shane Dietert: Jerry is that where the injured guys went first? Doug Thomas: No, Shane, they were taken to the USS SAN JOSE. Jerry Robertson: Shane, yes. We flew the first MEDEVAC to the Trenton, about 75 miles away. I was vectoring the 46’s to the Roberts enroute. We returned twice that night, first loaded with P250’s & hoses, then with fresh water for the crew. Jerry Robertson: Doug, correct. The 46’s MEDEVAC’d to the San Jose. Tim Matthews: Jerry, you and Blaze were absolutely AWESOME that night. I'm not sure Welch would have made it without you. Watching that Navy Doc work on him on the flight deck when they pulled him off 447 was real interesting. Between you and that doc, the two of you saved his life. That first takeoff after sunset from the Trenton is not something I'll ever forget. With the eductors, p250, hoses, AFFF, gas, water cans, peanut butter sandwiches, I don't know how much we weighed, but it was something north of max gross weight. I looked over my shoulder and I couldn't see the rear bulkhead, stuff was stacked too high. I remember telling you and Blaze that if we could high hover over the Trenton's flight deck with all that weigh then we could takeoff and fly. Probably not a real brilliant thought on my part. I remember as we transitioned off the flight deck nose down, how much we settled toward the dark water, with no visible horizon, and the engines screaming and hitting the redlines and the rotor RPM drooping a little. Pretty much sucked the seat cushion up my butt. Then old 447 decided she was going to fly and we did OK. We just did what we were trained to do. NHH Shane Dietert: Tim Matthews those were the best peanut butter sandwiches I have ever had. Jerry Robertson: Tim, I remember that roller coaster ride quite well. Definitely some talent in the cockpit that evening. I'll always remember seeing Craig Miller hanging over the 02 level lowering Welch down in the litter with one hand while his other arm was hooked around the cables while the rotors were spinning. The night landings on the SBR with battle lanterns for illumination and a fouled flight deck were memorable also. Bravo Zulu Boss. Shane Dietert: Jerry Robertson still don’t know how that railing held Lt. Miller. He was a pumped man. Jerry Robertson: Shane Dietert, I agree. That was one helluva sight. Tim Matthews: Jerry Robertson I always insisted we fly as a crew. You saved our asses more than once. You never took a moment off when we were flying and I thank you for that. Craig Miller was probably the most unflappable guy in the det. He worked hard enough but not too hard. He had an absolute love of guns and flying. Didn't take the NAV too seriously. He did take his body, physical fitness, and flying real seriously. Paperwork and the make work side of the NAV not so much. He stayed in the reserves. He caught on to the big picture after a while and ended up making O-5 and commanding a reserve special missions H-60 squadron hauling SEALS around in combat. I'm really proud of him. I've lost track of him. My oldest daughter, who was a freshman in High School, was in love with him I think.

March 11, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 61 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Slow day......

123 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

I love this quote from Iraq: "As missile attacks continued in the Persian Gulf war, Iraq offered today to halt the 11-day-old ''war of the cities'' with Iran Friday as long as Iraq fires the last shot."

Baghdad Says It’s Ending “War of Cities”: But More Missiles Are Fired at Tehran as Truce Deadline Nears

March 12, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 62 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm and 10 pm - 12 pm. Had a "pizza ball", and memory fails what exactly that was. Scott Frank is your memory any better on what that would have meant?

122 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Scott Frank: Might have been when we let the crew make pizzas instead of us cooks. I seem to remember something like that. Monotony breaker for the crew. Doug Thomas: Sounds good to me! Tim Matthews: I don’t remember the date but one evening the “O’s” invaded the galley and made pizzas for the crew. Doug Thomas: Very well could have been!!! "pizza ball" is not a very good summary...... Sandra Spivey: Have you any idea what the Kuwait/ BP stock ratio is now? Doug Thomas: Not sure, but I thought it was an interesting fact way before Desert Storm. Doug Thomas: Here is the current %'s: As of 31 December 2016, 41% of BP shares were held in America, 31% held in the UK, and 12% in the rest of Europe with the remaining shares held by investors from other countries.[270] Major institutional shareholders include The Vanguard Group, Inc. (2.99% as at 2 February 2018), BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Ltd. (2.79% as of 13 November 2017), Capital Research & Management Co. (Global Investors) (2.23% as at 16 March 2017), Legal & General Investment Management Ltd. (2.20% as of 2 February 2018) and Norges Bank Investment Management (2.20% as of 2 February 2018).[271] Doug Thomas: Found this article from Oct 1988: Sandra Spivey: That's interesting. I'm glad our President is rebuilding this nation. Gas and oil, steel, coal are necessary for a country to remain solvent, I think. Rebuilding the military and infrastructure- makes me proud to be an American! Thank you and your friends for serving. Many of our SHS students enlisted. Doug Thomas: Sandra Spivey I agree completely!

Kuwait Lifts Stake in BP to 21.25%; Will Stop at 22.5%

March 12, 1988|From Times Wire Services LONDON — Kuwait lifted its stake in British Petroleum Co. above 20%, but it pledged to stop buying the oil multinational's stock when it reaches a holding of 22.5% and will not seek representation on the board of directors, an official of the Persian Gulf nation's investment arm said Friday. The pledge was made by Trevor Ball, chief investment manager at the London-based Kuwait Investment Office. Ball's remarks were the first direct statements of Kuwait's immediate intentions toward BP. The KIO places the Gulf state's petro dollar investments worldwide and has gradually been buying into BP, Britain's biggest company. The Kuwaiti agency raised speculation that it was building on its 19.53% stake by announcing early Friday that it held 1.269 billion BP shares, or 21.25%. Industry analysts disagreed on the Arab country's motives. Some said they believed Kuwait's previous assertions that it was simply buying the shares as an investment.

“Cities War” Truce Apparently in Effect After Fierce Iraqi Pounding of Iran Targets

March 13, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 63 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 1 pm and 7 pm - 12 pm. Had a flight deck BBQ and had a "GREAT DAY!". No sleep at all.

121 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Edna Tyler: My other sons with my son! Tito Cordova Sr: Brothers for life. Paula Duke Terrell: Good looking hero's. Treacy Stone: Nice shirt! Roll tide!!! Doug Thomas: That was back in my Bama/Auburn days.. Tim Gilbride: Doug I think you have “ lost” weight buddy! Doug Thomas: Big difference from when I worked for you!!!! John Preston: The three amigos! Miss you guys. Tito Cordova Sr: We have to meet someday. Doug Thomas: Very soon. Tito Cordova Sr: Have to show you my granddaughter pictures Doug Thomas: Tito Cordova Sr Please do. Larry Byrd: FFG John Preston: Yep, FFG-58.

The Associated Press MANAMA, Bahrain Iraq said Saturday its jets hit a tanker in the Persian Gulf and an oil- pumping station on the Iranian mainland, indicating a return of hostilities to economic targets during a truce in the "War of the Cities." But Iran later accused Iraq of violating the day-old truce by sending a warplane to bomb the town of Gachsaran in southwestern Iran. A Tehran television broadcast, monitored in Cyprus, quoted a military spokesman as saying the plane was "forced to flee under heavy anti-aircraft fire." He said the aircraft was seen "dropping its bombs out of frustration in a desert area." The unidentified spokesman said the incident "indicates Iraq wants to continue its acts of mischief, and the Islamic combatants will not remain silent if civilian targets are attacked again." Iraq did not comment on the report. Hundreds of civilian casualties were reported in the latest wave of attacks on cities, which lasted 12 days. Iraq claimed to have hurled 71 long-range missiles into Tehran and two other cities, and Iran said it fired 29 missiles at Iraqi cities. The barrage ended Friday.

March 14, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 64 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm.

120 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

An Iraqi Missile Hits Tehran

March 15, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 65 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm.

119 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Both Iraq and Iran Gassed Kurds in War, U.S. Analysis Finds

March 16, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 66 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm. Slow day.

118 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Tony Dizillo: God was I naive and in the dark!!!!!! I had no idea about the barges up in the NPG or that we defended them and about all that was going on with Iran & Iraq!!!! Thus is the life of a 19 year old snipe

Iraq Kills 71 in Raids on Iranian Cities, Fires 7 Missiles at Tehran

March 17, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 67 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 3 pm - 11 pm. Pulled into Bahrain and liberty!!!!

117 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iraq Reports New Missile Attack On Tehran March 18, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were anchored at the Sitra Anchorage off Bahrain in the Persian Gulf for Day 68 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12:30 am - 7 am and 3 pm - 11 pm. Dentist appointment on the USS CORONADO, only 2 hours sleep this 24 hour period.

116 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iranian Gunboats Attacked Three Tankers in the Southern Persian Gulf

March 19, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were anchored at the Sitra Anchorage off Bahrain in the Persian Gulf for Day 69 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 pm - 12 pm. Ships softball game out in the Bahraini desert.

115 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Doug Thomas: Bahraini Air Force?????

Doug Thomas: CAPT Rinn on the mound! Tito Cordova: It could be me the one on left field. Doug Thomas: I think so.

Doug Thomas: Thomas scores! Artie DiRocco: No need to run. I was up next, you could have waited and walked home! Great picture. Tony Dizillo: Where were the snipes? Doug Thomas: I was mistaken...... This is in Dubai...... Artie DiRocco: Dubai indeed. Their fields were almost as dusty as Guantanamo Doug Thomas: Another one, Gregory Tanner. Gregory Tanner: Thanks, brings back some "HOT" memories.

Doug Thomas: This is Dubai, not Bahrain!!!! Doug Thomas: Here is one, Gregory Tanner.

Dick Fridley: That's when we were short shorts like real men!!! Artie DiRocco: And no shirts in the desert! No sunscreen to protect us just our manliness. Good ol days. Doug Thomas: I just noticed the extra home plate!!!! LuAnn Fridley Huff: Where were you? Doug Thomas: Out in the deserts of Bahrain.

Scott Frank: Where did you find this Doug Thomas. Wow....playing softball in United Arab Emirates 1988. Doug Thomas: In my albums.....no, this was in Bahrain. The softball place in Dubai was a real complex, bleachers and everything..... Scott Frank: oh ok still awesome pic man thanx.

Gulf Ship Attacks Resume, Missiles Hit Cities

March 20, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were anchored at the Sitra Anchorage off Bahrain in the Persian Gulf for Day 70 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am. Got a hotel room at the Bahrain Hilton with Artie DiRocco, John Preston, Rob Nares, and Jack Paprocki. Best day since I left home. No sleep at all this day.

114 days before returning home to Newport, RI. John Preston: Did Tito Cordova Sr take this picture? Doug Thomas: Must have. Tito Cordova Sr: I was probably at church. Tito Cordova Sr: Doug Thomas Maybe I was fetching food for you all. Doug Thomas: Wonder where Rob Nares is these days. Tito Cordova Sr: Doug Thomas Church or KFC who knows. Doug Thomas: Tito Cordova Sr I remember how good the fruit cups were from KFC! Jack Paprocki: Now that brings back memories. Thank you for sharing.

Cyprus - Waves of Iraqi fighter-bombers pounded Iran's biggest oil terminal Saturday; leaving at least two tankers ablaze in the northern Persian Gulf. Iran said it shot down three Iraqi warplanes. Both sides fired missiles into each other's capitals and bombarded population centers with artillery for the seventh consecutive day, resulting in civilian casualties.

March 21, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were anchored at the Sitra Anchorage off Bahrain in the Persian Gulf for Day 71 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Got to sleep about 2 am Monday morning and worked at 7 am. Was awake from 8 am Saturday morning - 2 am Monday morning.

113 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Bradley Peniston: 21 March 1988 0001L Anchored Bahrain. 0116L CO returns.

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Iran claimed Sunday that Iraq killed 5,000 Iraqi Kurds in poison gas attacks while trying to blunt an Iranian offensive and said Tehran's forces blasted Iraq's two largest cities with 13 missiles. There was no independent confirmation of the attacks on Kurdish towns, allegedly carried out Thursday, and Iraq made no mention of them. The United Nations has reported that Iraq has used chemical weapons in combat since 1984. Iran also said it fired 13 missiles into the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and the southern port city of Basra on Sunday in the continuing duel known as the "war of the cities." It reported "heavy casualties" in its shelling of Iraqi border cities. In the Persian Gulf, shipping sources said Iranian gunboats attacked the 84.631-ton Liberian- flag tanker Atlantic Peace with rocket-propelled grenades. No casualties were reported. It was the fourth Iranian assault on neutral shipping in the past three days in the long tug-of-war for control of the Persian Gulf. Iraqis made an air strike on Iran's Kharg Island oil terminal Saturday, leaving two tankers in flames. The Iranians claimed they captured the Kurdish towns of Halab- ja, Kholmar and Dojaila in Sulaimaniyeh province on Thursday in the week-old offensive in the northeastern mountains of Iraq. Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency, monitored in Nicosia, said the Iraqis used cyanide, mustard and other unidentified nerve gases in the attacks "to prevent the people from joining Iranian combatants " Many Kurds, a semi-nomadic Sunni Moslem people, have been fighting the Baghdad government for years. The agency quoted Iranian Foreign Minister All Akbar Velayati as telling U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar that 5,000 Kurdish civilians were among the dead. The Iranian official reportedly criticized the United Nations for failing to halt Iraq's alleged use of chemical weapons. Iran has warned it will begin using the same weapons in the 7v 2 -year-old Gulf war if Iraq persists. The Iraqi attack, if true, would be the struggle's worst with chemical weapons, outlawed under a 1925 agreement in Geneva, Switzerland. Iraq denies it uses the weapons. The Iranians said nearly 1,000 of the Kurdish casualties had been airlifted to Iranian hospitals for treatment. They appealed to the International Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies for medical aid. In the continuing exchange of missiles, the Iranian news agency reported that, as Iran celebrated the Persian new year, its forces fired two long-range missiles into Baghdad and 11 short-range rockets into the battered southern port city of Basra. Both sides have fired more than 200 missiles into each other's main cities and border towns since Feb.29.

March 22, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Southern Persian Gulf for Day 72 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Press pool came aboard and we had a General Quarters drill.

The attached picture shows CAPT Rinn addressing the reporters on the Starboard bridge wing.

112 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Bill McLeod: Dog and pony show. Tom Mowry: The bridge wing where you didn't want to be called to alone. Tom Mowry: Not you Mike. Bradley Peniston: 22 March 1988 0001L Anchored Bahrain. 0941L Get underway with APUs, then GTMs. Head to east central PG. 1038-1100 Set GQ. 1046L Maneuver to avoid “large tank like objects,” and report them to MEF. 1505-1541L Fire one 76mm round, 50 rnds CWIS, 50 cal, 25mm. No Time Given Iran has attacked seven neutral ships in the gulf since Friday. Iraq has raided a similar number of Iranian owned or chartered tankers beginning earlier in March. Messages said the Greek-flagged tanker Stavros G.L. was attacked at 2:45 p.m. approximately 30 miles north of Dubai and was on fire. The U.S. frigate Jack Williams, a sister ship to the Roberts, went to the tanker's aid from about nine miles away. The Williams rescued 14 crewmen in a lifeboat, according to Lt. Cmdr. Mark Van Dyke, a Navy spokesman. When the fire was under control, the tanker's skipper asked that the crew be returned to the ship, Van Dyke said. No Time Given Roberts' CIC monitors radio traffic about an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel off Dubai, 90 miles away. No Time Given Soon after entering international waters, Rinn orders GQ to “clear the mind” after the port call. They test-fired defensive gun systems as part of the effort to renew vigilance. No Time Given Rinn tells AP reporter embarked: “The hardest part of the mission is that you have to stay ready 24 hours a day. There’s no time, really, to let your guard down,” Rinn says. SBR prepares for its 40th convoy [sic, fifth]. “I’m never going to allow my ship to be shot at and hit,” said Rinn, adding the fate of another sister ship, the USS Stark, “is not lost on us.”

51 SEAMEN FEARED KILLED IN IRAQI RAID

March 23, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Southern Persian Gulf for Day 73 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Slow day, finally caught up on sleep from the weekend.

111 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Bradley Peniston: 23 March 1988 0001L Independent steaming. 0818L Pac fire 76mm 5 rnds. 1422L Set red weapons tight. 1546L CO has the conn. Commence 50cal firing to stdb, Walborn has the conn. 2344L Yellow weaps tight.

IRANIAN ATTACK ON TANKER IN GULF KILLS TWO

March 24, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Gulf of Oman just outside the Straits of Hormuz for Day 74 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Press pool was transferred to the USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG-57).

Interesting side note: When I was released from Sub school in Groton, CT for my ears failing the pressure chamber, I was given a choice of 2 FFG's: REUBEN JAMES out of Seattle, WA or SAMUEL B ROBERTS out of Newport, RI. Being from Florida/Alabama, Seattle, WA was a bit far away from home, so Newport, RI it was. The REUBEN JAMES was featured in Tom Clancy's movie, "Hunt For Red October" released in 1990.

Towed an Iranian gunboat for a bit before passing it off to the USS COPELAND (FFG-25) .in the Gulf of Oman. Interesting side note: The USS COPELAND was named after RADM Robert Copeland, who was the commanding officer of the first SAMUEL B ROBERTS, DE-413.

110 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Shane Dietert: I always felt that we were the best ship in the fleet but the Ruben James was the second best. It wasn’t close but they were second behind us. Doug Thomas: Concur Jerry Robertson: That Shit-Hole region is Never a good place to be. Alex Griffin: USS Copeland? This post has multiple levels of Sammy B history!! Doug Thomas: Big time! Wes Deti: Thanks Doug. Great history from some great times shared on the SBR 58 w/ HSL-44 Det-5. Thanks for all this great info... It helps me reflect how great the short 4 year adventure was for me! Shane Dietert: At the time 4 years seemed like 10. I still have the sunglasses I bought from you on the cruise Wes. Just joking! Doug Thomas: Glad to do it, Wes! Still can't believe it was 30 years ago! Tom Mowry: Thats because you were young, now it just flies by. Jason Frisch: Thanks Doug for sharing! Tom M owry: Magnum 447 Bradley Peniston: 24 March 1988 0001L Operating independently in SOHWPA. 0043L CO on bridge. 0800-1200 Lots of maneuvering orders. Generally course 230 from 0730 - on. Heading to PG. 1156L CO off bridge. 1622L On station with Jack Williams.

Iran Charges Iraq with Gas Attack As you can tell by these headlines, the Persian Gulf region was not a pleasant place to be in the late 80's!!!!!

March 25, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Gulf of Oman starting an OPERATION ERNEST WILL convoy for Day 75 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Joined USS REUBEN JAMES and the supertankers Gas Princess, Middletown, and Courier, starting the long journey north to Kuwait.

These pictures do not do justice for just how incredibly huge these tankers were!

Interesting fact of the day: Tthe first 3 pictures are of CAPT Rinn instructing BM3 Doug Medland how he wants him posed for the picture with the tankers in front of us.

109 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Bradley Peniston: 25 March 1988 0001L Steaming independently from Bahrain to SOHEPA via Q route 10A. 0550L Take station astern of Reuben James. 0621L Shot line over to Reuben James. 0800L In GOO. Pass line to Copeland, which takes small boat in tow, lands helo on SBR. 0954L 25 kts. Two Russian helos flying around ship. GQ sounded. 1032L Secure GQ. 2005L Sea Bats away. 2135L Sea Bats return.

CAPT Rinn instructing BM3 Medland how he wants him posed for the photo op.

BM3 Cross as mine watch and BM3 Doug Medland as sharp shooter.

BM3 Cross as mine watch and BM3 Doug Medland as sharp shooter. USS REUBEN JAMES can barely be seen behind the far left tanker.

BM3 Cross as mine watch and BM3 Doug Medland as sharp shooter. USS REUBEN JAMES can barely be seen behind the far left tanker.

Possibly Magnum 447 acting as spotter for the super tankers.

Tom Mowry: Great shot. This really shows what convoying was all about. Doug Thomas: One of my favorites...... Shows how small a FFG was compared to the tankers. You can barely make out the REUBEN JAMES in this picture.

USS REUBEN JAMES in line between 3 super tankers.

March 26, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf conducting escort ops for OPERATION ERNEST WILL for Day 76 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Slow day.

108 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Bradley Peniston: 26 March 1988 0001 Passing from SOHEPA to Kuwait (sic: really going to Bahrain). Under local control of Reuben James. Escorting Middleton bearing 000 @ 6500 yards. Base course 345 @ 8kts. 0703 Base course 205. 0908 Base course 233. 1036 Iranian ship is uncovering gun. 1055 Base course 211. 1508 Base course 299. 1850 Base course 285. 2213 Base course 257, speed 10 kts. 2301 Base course 305. 2315 Base course 331. 2316 Sea Bat helos away. No Time Given Reuben James and Samuel B. Roberts escort the 290,085-ton supertanker Middletown and the 46,723-ton gas carrier Gas Princess into the gulf. The 35,663-ton Courier, a Navy tanker, sails with them.

Doug Thomas: Amazing that as much as you dwell on a topic for 30 years, you still find something new. I had never heard this before, but here is one of the mines that was in the minefield that Iran laid for us. The Iranians had written USA on it as its intended target. Adam Hellmer: Such pranksters. Doug Thomas: Can’t argue with their results! Jody Juneau Palmer: That’s so scary.

NICOSIA, Cyprus: Iranian and Iraqi soldiers fought in the Kurdistan mountains Friday for control of a strategic area east of the Kirkuk oil fields, which produce more than half the oil that finances Iraq's war effort. At the United Nations, Francois Giuliani, spokesman for Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, said Friday that a U.N. team of experts will travel to Iran to see victims of what Tehran claims was an Iraqi attack with chemical weapons. Each side claimed to have shot down four of the other's warplanes during the battle on the northern front.

Iran said its Revolutionary Guards killed or wounded 500 Iraqis in heavy fighting east of Sayyid Sa-diq. Both sides used warplanes and helicopter gunships in the battle. In the Persian Gulf, Iraq claimed its warplanes scored "accurate and effective hits" on two tankers off Iran during the night. There was no immediate confirmation from maritime executives. Reports from Tehran said the Iranians hit Basra, Iraq's southern provincial capital, and five other border cities farther north with missile and artillery barrages. Iraq said its warplanes bombed Bakhtaran, Hamadan and Shushtar in western Iran. Iraq reported 10 civilians killed and 22 wounded. Iran said 53 people were killed in the Iraqi raids. Towns and cities on both sides of the frontier have been battered regularly since the war began in September 1980. Both sides have fired more than, 250 missiles into each others capitals and other cities cities since Feb. 29, killing hundreds of civilians.

Foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference in Amman, Jordan, said they would press the United Nations to force a ceasefire on Iran. The Iranians left the meeting Thursday, accusing the delegates of serving only Iraq's interest. In New York, Iran's U.N. ambassador, Mohammad Ja'afar Mahalla-ti, said Iraq used chemical weapons on Kurdish rebels, in violation of international agreements. Giuliani said the U.N. delegation was making the visit at Iran's request. Mahallati also said Tehran would send a special emissary for peace talks at the United Nations. Perez de Cuellar had requested the consultations on efforts to implement a ceasefire resolution passed by the Security Council last year. Dispatches of Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency said Revolutionary Guards pushing into northeastern Iraq mauled four infantry battalions and a brigade, totaling around 7,500 men.

March 27, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf conducting escort ops for OPERATION ERNEST WILL for Day 77 of MEF 1-88. Went to mid watches, so I worked 7 am - 1 pm and 7 pm - 12 pm. No sleep at all.

Sammy B mentioned in the below wire report......

107 days before returning home to Newport, RI Bradley Peniston: 27 March 1988 0001 Heading to Bahrain Bell with Reuben James, Middletown, Courier, Gas Prince. Formation 1 guide is Middleton. 0030 Recover two Sea Bats. 0753 SBR assumes convoy commander duty. 1422 Hoist motor whaleboat aboard. 2242 Red weapons tight. No Time Given TASS reports “40th convoy” passes through Hormuz: SBR, Reuben James escorting three reflagged tankers -- and at least four other ships under other flags joined up. David Robinson: Crazy stuff. I believe many of us were in the dark on some of these things during our deployment. Doug Thomas: I'm glad you are enjoying the posts, Dave.

NICOSIA, Cyprus Iraq yesterday admitted losing ground to Iran in a major battle in its strategic northeast, and it reopened a deadly duel of the cities by firing two missiles into Tehran. Iraqis Revolutionary Command Council, assembled by President Saddam Hussein, acknowledged Baghdad had lost land to an Iranian offensive, which Iran claims has resulted in 11,500 Iraqi casualties. The battle region is about 80 miles east of the Kir-kuk oilfields, which produce about 1.5 million barrels of oil a day more than half Iran's daily output. Despite the losses, the Iraqi command said it was resolved to fight "with all available weapons" until Tehran agrees to settle the 7 1/2- year-old war. Tehran's official Islamic planes heavily bombarded Iraqi troops around the strategic southern port of Basra, Iran said. It was the third straight day the Iranians have hit that area.

An estimated 250,000 Revolutionary Guards and volunteers have massed east of Basra in past weeks for a long- expected offensive. Baghdad Radio reported three Iranian warplanes, all U.S.-built F-5s, were shot down as they tried to bomb targets in the embattled Kurdistan province yesterday. The Iranian news agency reported a Soviet- built Iraqi Sukhoi SU-22 was downed yesterday. Iraq also hinted it may have used chemical weapons that Iran claims killed about 5,000 Iraqi Kurds during the offensive. Many Kurds have long fought the Baghdad government for autonomy, and Iran claimed it had "liberated" their communities before the attack. "Iraq has the determination and power to use all available weapons to crush the invaders," its command council announced yesterday in a veiled response to international condemnation of any use of poison gases. The United Nations has said it will send a team of experts to investigate the reported Iraqi use of the weapons, outlawed under a 1925 Geneva agreement. One Iraqi projectile hit an orphanage and the other roared into a residential neighborhood. It reported seven civilians killed.

The official Iraqi News Agency quoted a military spokesman yesterday as vowing to "level their Iran's cities." Iraq has fired 112 long-range missiles into Tehran and Qom, seat of Iran's religious hierarchy, in a missile duel that has killed hundreds of civilians. Tehran says it fired 43 such projectiles into Baghdad and dozens into other Iraqi cities since Feb. 29. In the Persian Gulf, U.S. warships were escorting re-flagged Kuwaiti tankers in the 18th convoy of the year, part of an operation to protect the Kuwaiti vessels from Iranian attacks. In the offensive, the Iranian agency said Iranian fighter-bombers attacked Iraqi ground troops yesterday while Iranian Revolutionary Guards thrust into the Kurdistan mountains.

Iranian communiques said Revolutionary Guards advancing into northeastern Iraq have also seized control of the eastern shore of Lake Darbandikhan. A hydroelectric dam on the lake provides power for most of the region. The Iranians claim they have killed or wounded 11,500 Iraqis. Iran agreed late Friday to send an envoy to the United Nations for indirect peace talks with the Iraqis. But a top Iranian official said he was pessimistic about the outcome. In the gulf, the guided missile frigates Reuben James and Samuel Roberts escorted the 290,085-ton supertanker Middletown and the 46,723-ton gas carrier Gas Princess into the gulf. The 35,663-ton Courier, a Navy tanker, was sailing with them. The trip north to Kuwait usually takes about two or three days. The convoys began last July after Kuwait re-registered 11 of its tankers in the United States. Iran accuses Kuwait of aiding Iraq in the war.

March 28, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf conducting escort ops for OPERATION ERNEST WILL for Day 78 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm.

106 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iraq Targets Bigger Missile on Tehran

March 29, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf conducting escort ops for OPERATION ERNEST WILL for Day 79 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm.

105 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iran Says It Repelled Iraqi Attack

March 30, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 80 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm. Found out that I would not be getting out of the Navy early because I had accepted advancement to E-4 out of Radioman A school. So even if I hadn't already agreed to stay for the duration of the deployment, I would be anyway!!!

104 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

ICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) Iraq accused Iran on Tuesday of using poison gas in its Kurdistan offensive and threatened to attack Iranian cities with chemical weapons. Nuri Nayef, head of the Iraqi News Agency office in Cairo, said Tuesday an Iraqi government spokesman told him the military "might choose a number of large Iranian cities to be the targets of chemical weapons as a deterrent and punitive measure." He said the spokesman, whom he did not identify, declared that Iran used chemical weapons in Kurdistan last week and Iraq may respond in kind. Iran says Iraq dropped chemical bombs March 16-17 on Halabja, Dojaila and Khor-mal, three Kurdish towns in Iraq captured by Iranian troops in an offensive that began March 16. Iran said 5,000 people were killed and 5,000 wounded. Western correspondents taken to Halabja by the Iranians last week reported seeing hundreds of dead civilians unmarked by wounds. Iran, which accused the Iraqis of using chemical bombs in the same area last week, said Revolutionary Guards were moving deeper into Iraq territory in the northern campaign. Baghdad's official news agency said Iraqi warplanes raided two ships off Iran in the Persian Gulf overnight, but there was no independent confirmation. About 500 vessels have been attacked by both sides since the war began in September 1980. Iranian rebel groups based in Iraq, said to include women fighters for the first time, appeared to have pushed into the oil-rich Khuzestan province of southwest Iran, around the town of Fakkeh. There was no independent confirmation of the operation by the National Liberation Army of Iran but the Iranians, who claimed Monday the offensive was repulsed, said their warplanes bombed "enemy forces" Tuesday in the Fakkeh region. On Monday the rebels said several thou- sand fighters with tanks moved into Khuzestan in their biggest offensive yet. Alireza Jafer-Zada, a spokesman in Baghdad, claimed on Tuesday they had killed or wounded thousands of Iranian soldiers. Tehran radio, monitored in Nicosia, said Iran fired two missiles Tuesday into Man-dali, 70 miles northeast of Baghdad. Iraq did not report the attack. Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency said nine civilians were killed in Iraqi air raids on four western and southern Iranian cities. Tehran radio said Iranian fighters shot down two Iraqi war-planes in a dogfight. Iraq denied it.

March 31, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 81 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm. Went flying for 3 hours with the Magnum 447 crew. Saw a burning tanker that had been attacked and the Iranian SAAM frigate SAHAND.

103 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Kuwait Reports Skirmish With Iran

Doug Thomas: Here are some pictures from my flight on MAGNUM 447.

French Ship MONTCALM

French Ship MONTCALM

French Ship MONTCALM

Supertanker GAS PRINCE

Iranian SAAM Frigate SAHAND

USS SAMUEL B ROBERTS and Supertanker GAS PRINCE

USS SAMUEL B ROBERTS and USS REUBEN JAMES

USS SAMUEL B ROBERTS

Doug Thomas: Tom Mowry Here is the chlorine tanker that we passed that had been attacked. Tom Mowry: YES!!!! God that smell was awful. Jerry Robertson: I remember that quite well; the smell was the first thing I thought of.

April 1, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 82 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm. Escort ops and a slow day.

102 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

April 2, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 83 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm. Escort ops. Out of the first 83 days of the deployment, 4 days in port, 7 days anchored out, 72 out of 83 days underway.

101 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Sandra Spivey: Not real comforting news since it only takes one mine Doug Thomas: I agree completely! Tony Dizillo: Well, in 12 days they missed 1. Gary Goodale: It’s unbelievable, all the shit that was going on over there at the time and more of us were not killed. I lost 37 shipmates. Doug Thomas: I agree completely! Doug Thomas: Question: after April 14, 1988, shouldn't the Sammy B be officially an FFG/MCM? David Robinson: FFG/MCM? Doug Thomas: Mine Sweeper David Robinson: I get it. We found one, that’s for sure.

Would love to know their definition of "under control"...... MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) The U.S. Navy says it has succeeded in using underwater robots to locate mines in the Persian Gulf for the first time since mine-sweeping operations began , last year. A spokesman for the based U.S. Central Command said the Navy used the devices to locate two mines in the so-called Farsi channel of the northern gulf, where the U.S. mine-sweeping operations have been concentrated. He spoke on condition he not be identified. " On Monday, the mine sweeper Fearless used its new ''Super Sea Rover," as the submersible is known, to locate a mine tethered to a seabed anchor in 90 feet of water, he said.

On Wednesday, the Fearless submersible robot found another mine, this time by following an anchor and cable to where the explosive lay on the bottom, the spokesman said Friday. Both mines, covered with a layer of marine growth indicating they had been in the water a long time, were detonated by Navy divers. The Navy also said Friday that it has found and destroyed 41 mines in the gulf since its sweeping operations began. The updated figure doubles the number of mines previously reported to have been destroyed by the Americans.

In late November, after the Navy's Korean War-vintage ocean mine sweepers went into action and quickly found 15 mines in the northern gulf, commanders reported the mine threat was "under control." U.S. officers have refused to say whether they have found evidence of any recent mine-laying activity by Iran, which is believed to have planted the explosives. The mines found by the U.S. Navy, as well as about 20 found in other areas of the gulf by the French and the British navies, were all of the 1908-model contact-type, which explode when a ship bumps against their detonator spikes. One such mine damaged the 401,283-ton supertanker Bridgeton during the first northbound-convoy of U.S.-flagged Kuwaiti tankers on July 21.

April 3, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 84 of MEF 1-88. Worked 12 am - 7 am and 7 pm - 12 pm. Escort ops and a slow day.

100 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iraq Says it Routed Iranians and Kurds In Fight in Northeast

April 4, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 85 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Escort ops with the tanker American Heritage.

99 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Sandra Spivey: Barbaric Doug Thomas: That they were!

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) -- Iraqi troops killed 400 Kurdish civilians who had been iniured in a chemical- bomb attack and were trying to reach a hospital, a Kurdish leader said Sunday. The report could not be independently confirmed. Neither Iraq nor Iran, which backs the Iraqi Kurdish separatists, had immediate comment. Iraq, meanwhile, said its warplanes raided two Iranian refineries Sunday but Iran said the bombs hit residential areas, killing 10 civilians and wounding 50. In Tehran, a senior official told reporters Iran would respond to the renewed attacks on his nation s cities with ground offensives. Kurdish guerrilla leader Jalal Talabani said the 400 civilians from the mountainous Qara Dagh district were wounded in an Iraqi chemical raid. Talabani, leader of the Fatnouc Union of Kurdisui, said the wounded were traveling to a hospital in the northeastern city of Sulaymaniyah when they were taken prisoner by Iraqi soldiers and killed on Saturday. Talabani is in London and made the accusation in a telephoned statement. Kurdish separatists have been fighting the Iraqi government for decades for an independent homeland. Qara Dagh is 20 miles west of Lake Darbandikhan, where Iran claims Iraqi chemical bombings March 16-17 killed 5,000 civilians and injured many more. A senior Iraqi official on Sunday repeated the claim that U.N. Secretary- General Javier Perez de Cuellar is biased toward Iran. Akram al-Witri, chief of the legal department at the Foreign Ministry, told a news conference, "We have been patient but now we are fed up with Perez de Cuellar and other top U.N. officials who are appeasing Iran for their self interest." Last week Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz expressed "bitterness and disappointment at the biased and ill-balanced nature" of recent statements by Perez de Cuellar on the alleged use of chemical weapons by Iraq. Al-Witri accused Perez de Cuellar of neglecting the fate of Iraqi prisoners of war. "Our 45,000 POWs in Iran are subject to all kinds of physical and psychological torture and other methods of maltreatment and it is time" that the United Nations and International Red Cross investigate, he said. Iraq announced its forces sank six Iranian gunboats during the night as they attempted to approach an offshore oil platform in the northern Persian Gulf. Iran denied the claim.

April 5, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Central Persian Gulf for Day 86 of MEF 1- 88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Got sick with the "Persian Flu". I don't really remember what this was...... I can only assume it was some type of stomach virus.

98 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Hijackers Seize Kuwaiti Jet With 111 Aboard Captors Force 747 to Land in Iran and Threaten to Blow it Up, Royals Among Passengers

April 6, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we pulled into Sitra Anchorage off Bahrain for Day 87 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. 5 hours of liberty, called home, and got mail! All in all, a good day to be in the Persian Gulf.

97 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

April 7, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Central Persian Gulf heading south towards the Straits of Hormuz for Day 88 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Slow day.

96 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

By The Associated Press NICOSIA, Cyprus Iraq fired four missiles into Tehran Wednesday and its warplanes bombed eight other Iranian cities. Iran said 40 civilians were killed, including three children who died when a hospital nursery was hit Iran said it fired two missiles Into "military centers" in Baghdad In retaliation and shelled Iraqi borders. The Iraqi News Agency reported only one Iranian missile exploding in Baghdad, saying it hit a residential neighborhood, killing several civilians. Iraq said two Iranian jets bombed a packed football stadium In the town of Kalar in the northeastern Sulaymaniyah province, killing five schoolchildren and wounding 35 others. "We will 'take revenge, and the Iranian regime will have to pay dearly for its shameful crimes," the official Iraqi News Agency quoted a military spokesman as saying. The Iraqis also said their fighter - bombers hit a "very large maritime target," which usually means a supertanker, near Iran's Lavan bland oil terminal in the central Persian Gulf during the night. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the strike. Iranian Prime Minister Hussein Musavi charged that the Iraqis were stepping op their missile and air strikes to disrupt elections Friday for Iran's 270 - scat Parliament Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency quoted him as saying, "These raids will fall to prevent the elections. On the contrary, It will make our people more determined to cast their votes." The Iran news agency said five short - range missiles were fired into Iraq's southern port of Basra. It said its anti - aircraft missiles batteries shot down a Soviet built Iraqi MiG-23 jet and a Sukhoi Su-22 fighter-bomber during two of the bombing raids. The MiG pilot was killed, it said, but there was no immediate word on the Sukhoi pilot. Iraqi communiques said air force jets and helicopter gunships flew more than 200 combat missions Wednesday and that only one plane was lost Iraq's missile barrage was seen as Baghdad's response to an Iranian push into the northeastern mountains of Kurdistan. IRNA said Iranian air force fighters carried out six attacks on Iraqi troop concentrations north of the Iranian bridgehead around the strategic Lake Darbandikhan. It said Iranian artillery shelled the nearby provincial capital of Sulai - maniyeh, including a power station, as fighting continued in the region 75 miles east of Iraq's" big Kirkuk oilfields.

April 8, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 89 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm. Went through the Straits of Hormuz and entered the Gulf of Oman to pick up another convoy heading to Kuwait.

95 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Kathy James: Thank you all for what you men and women do for our great nation Doug Thomas: We were glad to do it!

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) Airport workers in northeast Iran refueled a Kuwaiti jetliner and its Arab hijackers said they would take off this morning with about 50 hostages held for three days, Iran's news agency reported. The plane was refueled after the hijackers fired at guards at the Masshad airport and threatened to force the pilot to fly with the little fuel left in the jet's tanks, said the official Islamic Republic News Agency. It first quoted the hijackers as saying the plane would leave at midnight (1:30 p.m. PDT), in a dispatch filed only two minutes before that time, and said later the departure had been delayed until 6 a.m. (7:30 p.m. PDT). The second departure time passed with no new word from IRNA. No destination was given. According to IRNA, Iranian officials asked the hijackers for the extension to provide time for the Turkish and Pakistani prime ministers, Turgut Ozal and Mohammed Khan Junejo, to talk to Kuwaiti officials in an effort to convince them to accept the hijackers' demand. The hijackers, said to number five to seven, want Kuwait to free 17 proIran extremists convicted and imprisoned in the Persian Gulf sheikdom for bombings at the U.S. and French embassies there in 1983. IRNA, monitored in Nicosia, said Ozal spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Hussein Musavi of Iran on Thursday. It said Musavi told Ozal his government wanted to end the incident without "any unhappy event," but added: "Of course you should know that our possibilities are limited and therefore we hope the Kuwaiti government will understand the restrictions in the holy city of Mashhad and fulfil its humanitarian duty, in trying to bring the problem to a peaceful end." Thirty-two people were released from the plane early Thursday and, along with 25 freed earlier, left Mashhad for Kuwait, the agency reported. The British Foreign Office said early Friday that the passengers had arrived in Kuwait. The hijacking occurred early Tuesday, as the plane with 1 12 people aboard was flying from Bangkok to Kuwait.

April 9, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Gulf of Oman for Day 90 of MEF 1-88. Worked 7 am - 7 pm.

94 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iran, Iraq bombard cities NICOSIA, Cyprus Iraq fired four long range missiles into Tehran and other Iranian cities Friday before Iranians began voting in parliamentary elections. Iran said it fired rockets into Baghdad and other cities in retaliation. Each side said the other's missiles hit residential areas, killing civilians. One report said that Iraqi warplanes hit a "large maritime target," which usually means a tanker, off Iran's Persian Gulf coast before dawn.

Doug Thomas: Many people throughout the years have asked me how we saved a sinking ship. My good friend Mike Roberts sums it up the best at our 2008 reunion... Brad Gutcher: Amen Mike Roberts: Thanks Doug. I relive that love for my shipmates every time I see you in that VA commercial:)

2008 Reunion Comments by Mike Roberts

April 10, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway for Day 91 of MEF 1-88. Went through the Straits of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf doing escort ops. Worked 7 am - 1 pm. Taken off watch bill in order to complete maintenance.

93 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Doug Thomas: For my fellow Marines out there. Raw footage during onboard an Iranian oil platform.

Marines on Iranian Platform Raw Footage

Saudi Arabia’s Chinese Missiles: Another Log on the Middle East Fire

April 11, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Southern Persian Gulf doing escort ops for Day 92 of MEF 1-88. Celebrated HUMP DAY!!! Half way through the deployment.

92 days before returning home to Newport, RI. Sandra Spivey: Very frightening! We did not need a diversion from mine sweeping. Doug Thomas: I agree with you completely on that!!

Less than 72 hours to go I keep watching this video and it means more to me each time. So I wanted to share the words for those that have not watched the video.

Mike Roberts 2008 Reunion Remarks

Especially the guys I had these petty scraps with. When I saw them, my heart just jumped inside with joy for the fact that they weren't dead. Those guys weren't dead. Just like every time I saw one of the wounded guys, my heart broke some more. And I know this love was not just mine. I saw it all that day. Tiny little things we all did to save that ship. And the big great things that some of us did that saved all of us. And just in the jokes we told to take care of each other. No doubt we saved that ship. But there was also a miracle involved. I believe God held that main deck together, that deck did not rip apart and drown us all. And I think maybe that was because God saw his kind of love that day on our ship. He saw that fierce, self-sacrificial love that is work, the work we did for each other to keep each other alive. In my view, that very well may be why we are all here.

Shirley Hatcher: Thank you God for all the miracles you perform every day. Terri Kines Eldrige: Beautiful! John Preston: Amen, Doug. I recall the captain saying that he viewed our survival as a miracle a few days after the mine hit. I'm sure a believer! Tito Cordova Sr: It could only been a miracle. No doubt Emmie Reynolds: Doug so sweet! Thinking of you my friend! Annie Thomas Carnley: You had a lot of people praying for God to protect you on this deployment, He did what he had to do to answer our many prayers.

With the end of this saga coming to a near end, here are a couple of pictures that were taken along the journey. Capt Paul Rinn called me up to the bridge one day because he saw the possible picture evolving. There was a tanker that would be crossing in front of us as the sun was setting. Would have been a great picture, but I had black & white film in my camera! The other picture is one of a Russian Helix helicopter.

Tim Matthews: In the edge of the right lower frame you can see what I believe is the nose of another helicopter. I don't think it is a SH-60B Seahawk. It looks more like a SH-2F Seasprite. The radome on a SH-60B is wider and not as tall. Doug Thomas: Never noticed that before! Tim Matthews: We did horse around with a Soviet Hormone Helo one day. We overflew their ship and they flew over to Roberts to return the favor. Jerry Robertson: I’m pretty sure that’s Green Checker entering the picture; Wes Deti? Doug Thomas: Green Checker? Jerry Robertson: HSL-34, SH-2F call sign. Doug Thomas: Oh, ok.

94 Killed in Pakistan Explosion

April 12, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Central Persian Gulf and maintained station off the Bahrain Bell for Day 93 of MEF 1-88. Celebrated the Sammy B's 2nd birthday with a flight deck bbq.

91 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Jeneace-Lowell Thomas: Hey, I think I know that young man 2nd from the right. He was so young, but so daring.

New Attacks End Lull in Gulf Missile War

April 13, 1988 Onboard the Sammy B 30 years ago today, we were underway in the Persian Gulf for Day 94 of MEF 1-88. Worked for about 6 hours on the Radio passageway......

90 days before returning home to Newport, RI.

Iran Says It Killed Many Iraqis in New Drive