(3) USS SIDES (FFG 14), located approximately 18 NM NE of USS VINCENNES.
c. The USS FORRESTAL was on routine patrol in the Northern GOO area.
d. The USS FORRESTAL called away and launched F-14 AND E-2C at 0647Z.
e. [ ]
f. [ ]
g. [ ]
h. [ ]
i. Although the Northern AWACS was airborne, it provided no link information because the Northern AWAC's radar is unable to provide coverage of the entire Persian Gulf area.
2.Surface Engagement
a. At approximately 0330Z, USS MONTGOMERY observed seven small Iranian gunboats approaching a Pakistani merchant vessel. USS MONTGOMERY reported at 0333Z that small boats had manned machine gun mounts and rocket launchers.
b. Shortly thereafter USS MONTGOMERY observed a total of 13 Iranian gunboats breaking into three groups. Each group contained 3 to 4 gunboats with one group of four gunboats taking position off USS MONTGOMERY's port quarter.
c. [ ]
d. At 0411Z USS MONTGOMERY heard, over bridge to bridge, the gunboats questioning merchants in the area, and at approximately the same time heard 5 to 7 explosions coming from the north.
e. No merchant vessels requested assistance and by direction of "GS", at approximately 0411Z, USS MONTGOMERY proceeded to the southern section of [ ].
f. At 0412Z, "GS" directed USS VINCENNES to proceed north to the vicinity of USS MONTGOMERY and to investigate USS MONTGOMERY's report of small boats preparing to attack a merchant. USS VINCENNES's helo OCEAN LORD 25 (Lamps MK-III) on routine morning patrol was vectored to the north to monitor the Iranian small boat activity in preparation for USS SIDES transit.
g. [ ]
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