S P E C I A L:

The Standoff with Iraq

As diplomats talk, Navy ship's crew hones skills

An F/A-18 pilot salutes before soaring from the USS Independence's deck

February 12, 1998
Web posted at: 2:12 p.m. EST (1912 GMT)

ABOARD THE USS INDEPENDENCE (CNN) -- Aboard the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy's active fleet, poised in the Persian Gulf, the crew readies for battle while waiting for diplomacy to run its course.

"Everyone is very pumped up. They're concentrating. They're focused," Cmdr. Stu Bailey, executive officer of the F-14 squadron, told CNN. "Also we know that this is a diplomacy tact thing and we're ready to stay the course, so we're in it for the long haul. But we're ready every day."

Up to 100 sorties daily are flown off the deck of the USS Independence. Commissioned in January 1959, the aircraft carrier has been part of virtually every U.S. military action since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962.

"Whether it was Vietnam, Grenada ... Lebanon, Libya ... it's always participated and it's been the same mission there -- to preserve the peace," said the ship's commander, Capt. Mark Milliken. "Sometimes it takes a fire power to preserve the peace."

The combat information center aboard the Independence

"Our real task is to maintain our combat readiness to be ready to go," said Rear Adm. Charles Moore, the battle group commander.

The Persian Gulf territory is familiar to the carrier, which is approaching the end of its career. In August 1990, the Independence sailed into the region to deter Iraqi aggression during Operation Desert Shield, becoming the first carrier to enter the Arabian Gulf since 1974.

Just a month ago, the "Indy" was stationed at its home port in Yokosuka, Japan, when U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen spoke to the crew aboard the flight deck to announce the ship's return to the gulf.

The ship's presence in the region is more than a weapons platform, it's also an intimidating reminder of what's at stake as diplomatic efforts continue.

Go on board the USS Independence
	2.9MB/33 sec./320x240 1.2MB/33 sec./160x120 QuickTime movie

"We hope that our great combat capability here will help reinforce the diplomatic effort, and cause actions to be taken on the diplomatic front that will result in peace and stability, not war," Moore told CNN. "We're not interested in fighting; we're interested in deterring conflict."

The aircraft carrier's distinction as the Navy's oldest active ship entitles her to fly the Revolutionary-era First Navy Jack, commonly called "Don't Tread On Me."

The Independence, which is the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name, is to be decommissioned this fall.

Correspondent Mike Hanna contributed to this report.

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Iraq Standoff Main  |  Latest Stories  |  Message Board

Related stories:

• Report: Iraq considers new Russian proposal - February 12, 1998
• Russia warns of consequences if U.S. attacks Iraq - February 12, 1998
• Annan makes diplomatic push on Iraq - February 11, 1998
• Iraq again offers limited access to palaces - February 11, 1998

Related site:

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• Homepage of the USS Independence - U.S. Navy

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