Coral Sea Winds Up Mediterranean Duty and Heads for Home
The aircraft carrier Coral Sea, after a deployment of more than seven months that included combat action against Libya, was released from patrol duty today and authorized to sail for home.
Navy sources said the carrier and half a dozen or so escorts left the port of Rota, Spain, today and began sailing westward. They said the Coral Sea and its 5,000-man crew will probably arrive in Norfolk, Va., on May 19.
The Coral Sea’s departure leaves two U.S. aircraft carriers still operating in the Mediterranean. The Enterprise is in port at Naples, Italy, and the America is participating in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercise.
Military planners have said they intend to keep at least two carriers in the region for the indefinite future in case President Reagan orders additional military action against Libya.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
