Wow!!! seems like it was just a few years past, I was with VAW-116 onboard the USS.Ranger CV61 "Top Gun bar None" in the Persian Gulf, we were awakened at o dark thirty by the CO of the Ranger with this message over the 1Mc,
In August last year Iraq invaded and dismantled a country Kuwait. That country has virtually ceased to exist, Iraqs armed forces occupy Kuwait-approximately 530,000 men in 41 divisions. They man the KTO.
In October the United Nations resolved that if Iraq did not withdraw from Kuwait by 15 January force would be authorized. The time for Iraq to withdraw has passed. United Nation coalition forces are now authorized to use force. On 16 January the National Command Authority declared DEFCON II.
A few minutes ago I was informed by our Operational Commander, RADM Zlatoper, that the President has ordered the US Central Command to engage Iraq in hostilities.
Few Americans are as priviliged to stand up and be counted... We have been given the honor of representing our country in combat. We are here in this moment in history. We volunteered for this duty. We are trained for this day. We are ready for this day.
Ranger will launch... Air Wing TWO will strike... targets within Iraq this morning, We shall make our presence felt. This ship... this Air Wing... these Staffs... will make in history a measurable difference on this day,and on the days to follow.
The Wing will fly tonight and tomorrow and in the days that follow...
From those those of use who cannot go... we wish you good luck. For those of us that steam,fuel,feed,arm and launch the aircraft on this ship... we are greatly counted upon, for what we do here in the near future will guarentee what this Nation does in the far future.
To the Air Wing... God Speed, good hunting...keep your powder dry, and your knots up.
For the rest of us... Lets Go Get 'Em!
CAPTAIN. ERNEST E. CHRISTENSEN
CO. USS. RANGER