Gonzo Station

Gonzo Station was the USS Midway (CV-41)'s Operation Department, specifically IOIC, attempt to honor Hunter S. Thompson during the non-ending, first on station, deployment during the Iranian hostage crisis. USS Midway (CV-41) was midway between Perth, Australia and Mombasa, Kenya when the embassy was taken.

USS Midway (CV-41) initiated the longest at-sea record since WWII by being on-station for 91 days, was first on-scene carrier. Subsequent deployments by other carriers (USS America (CV-66), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), et. al.) dwindled the record with over 180 days on-station.

Several U.S. Navy carriers served on Gonzo Station, including the USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Midway (CV-41), USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS America (CV-66), USS Independence (CV-62), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Coral Sea (CV-43), USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). While replenishment ships normally rotated on and off line in order to resupply, USS Roanoke (AOR-7) served in formation 180 days.The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)in 1980 served 315 days sea time with an 154 line period (July-Dec) This was the largest American Fleet dispatched to the Indian Ocean since WW2

See also