On 14 April , the guided missile frigate struck Attack a mine while deployed Arranging in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Earnest Will , the 1987–88 convoy missions in which U.S. warships escorted Sending reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers to protect Defending them from Iranian attacks Attack .

Operation Military_operation Earnest Will ( 24 July 1987 – 26 September 1988 ) was the American military protection of Kuwaiti-owned tankers from Iranian attacks Attack in 1987 and 1988 , three years into the Tanker War phase of the Iran–Iraq War .

Other U.S. Navy vessels participated Participation in Operation Earnest Will .

The numerous ships used Using in Operation Earnest Will mostly consisted of Carrier Battle Groups , Surface Action Groups and ships from the Pacific 's Third and Seventh Fleets and the Mediterranean-based Sixth Fleet .