"[1] It was used to designate an area of carrier-based naval operations by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps in the Indian Ocean during the 1979–1981 Iranian Hostage Crisis and the "Tanker War" between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

[citation needed] Multiple aircraft carriers, their associated air wings and carrier battle groups, and associated sea-based and land-based task forces and task groups served on Gonzo Station.

Subsequent deployments by other carriers, such as USS America (CV-66) and Kitty Hawk, dwarfed the earlier records with over 180 days at sea, or six months on-station.

[citation needed] In 1980, the Dwight D. Eisenhower served 315 days of deployed sea time with a consecutive 154-day line period.

This was the largest deployment of US Navy ships to the Indian Ocean since World War II.