23 Dec (continuing) USS MISSISSIPPI diverts a freighter in the N. Red Sea. 26 Dec USS FIFE (DD-991), USS OLDENDORF (DD-972), USS TRENTON (LPD- 14), USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12), USS CURTS (FFG-38), and two multinational craft intercepted IBN KHALDOON ("Peace Ship") in the Arabian Sea after the Iraqi-flagged freighter refused repeated requests to stop. Crewmembers attempted to restrain boarding team of Navy per- sonnel and grab their weapons, resulting in warning shots being fired in the air and a smoke grenade and noise grenade set off for crowd control. IBN KHALDOON was diverted to port after search revealed prohibited cargo. SECNAV activates 480 additional Naval Reservists from 3 units. 28 Dec USS ThEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) and USS AMERICA (CV-66) Carrier Battle Groups with appropriate esc~rts and embarked airwings deploy from Norfolk. Total of 17 ships depart from 5 East coast ports. Iraqi Armed Forces fires 5th surface-to-surface missile within Iraq; missile landed in Iraq. The flight path was away from U.S. and coalition forces. DOD announces chemical/biological vaccination program for U.S. forces. SECNAV activates 172 additional Naval Reservists from 40 units. 31 Dec USS MISSISSIPPI diverts a freighter in the N. Red Sea. 1991 1 Jan USS MISSOURI (BB-63) arrives in the Gulf of Oman. USNS MERCY (T-AH 19) records 1,000th helicopter landing. 2 Jan CINCCENTCOM announces new U.S. troop strength at over 325,000 in region (35,000 USN, 55,000 USMC); updates numbers of intercepts - 6221; boardings - 749; diversions -32. Navy ship strength: 25 (Arabian Gulf), 20 (North Arabian Sea/Gulf of Oman), 10 (Red Sea). 6 anti-ship mines discovered floating in Gulf during December, all destroyed. Investigation of origin/date of deployment continues. USNS ANDREW J. HIGGINS (T-AO 190) runs aground on an unchartered reef off Oman, hull rupture leaks undetermined amount of rnbced fuels. No injuries. 4 Jan USS GUAM (LPH-9) and USS TRENTON (LPD-14) conduct~Operation EASTERN EXIT. Embarked elements of 4th Marine Expediti6nary Brigade evacuated 65 U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals caught in civil war in Somalia. Evacuees helicoptered from U.S. Embassy in Moga- dishu to ships offshore. No injuries or incidents. USS MISSOURI responded to distress call from Saudi-flagged tanker TABUK (2 small fires, inoperative fire pump) near Dubai. MISSOURI fire party and repair officer transferred onboard, and extinguished fire. A-li
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