Return of the Big Stick: USS Iowa in the 1980s
Amid rising global tensions, the U.S. Navy brought back its mightiest warships. In 1984, USS Iowa was recommissioned as part of the Reagan-era 600-ship Navy initiative. Outfitted with modern weapons, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, she became a symbol of American strength during the Cold War. Iowa deployed to volatile regions around the globe, projecting power and reassuring allies — until tragedy struck in 1989. Her service in the 1980s marked a new chapter in battleship history and her final role as a frontline deterrent.
Top Milestones: USS Iowa in the 1980s
- April 28, 1984: Recommissioned at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
- 1984–1985: Modernized with Tomahawk, Harpoon missiles, Phalanx CIWS, and advanced electronics.
- 1986: Deployed to the Mediterranean Sea for NATO operations and presence missions.
- 1987: Conducted operations in the North Atlantic and Western Pacific.
- 1988: Took part in major naval exercises and showed presence in key Cold War flashpoints.
- April 19, 1989: Turret Two explosion during gunnery exercise killed 47 sailors — one of the Navy’s worst peacetime disasters.
- Post-1989: Continued limited operations while investigations proceeded.
- October 26, 1990: Decommissioned for the final time after nearly 50 years of service.
In tow from Philadelphia to New Orleans
In tow from Philadelphia to New Orleans and Avondale shipyard, Inc., for modernization and reactivation. Subsequently towed to Ingalls shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi for completion of work.
Recommissioned
Recommissioned ahead of schedule and within budget.
NGFS Training
Underway to Autec Range for Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS) training.
Underway for Caracas
Underway for Caracas, Venezuela conducting a number of systems checks and gunnery exercises en route. USS IOWA also made stops at ports en route in support of “Naval Presence” operations designed to back-up friendly states in Central America and Caribbean.
Gunnery Exercises
In July, off Vieques Island for gunnery exercises.
Back Through the Panama Canal
Underway to begin pacific Coast operations.
COMPUTEX 1-85
Participated in COMPUTEX 1-85 in Puerto Rican Operations area from November 1 – 20.
Deployment in Central America
In the month of February, USS Iowa was underway for deployment in Central America. Completed several civic action and humanitarian projects in Costa Rica and Honduras. Participated in encounter exercises with Battleship Surface Action Group.
Battle Force Integrated Training
In the month of March, she was engaged in Battle Force integrated training and post-shakedown availability training operating out of Norfolk. Off loaded ammunition at Yorktown’s Naval Weapons Station.
Drydock
Into drydock at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va.
Out of Drydock
Out of drydock to load gun ammunition while at Whiskey Island Anchorage in Hampton Roads. This was followed by a demonstration of her Tomahawk Handling system, and then ten days of sea trials and ammunition unload at Yorktown.
Battleship Surface Action Group
Underway for Ocean Safari as part of Battleship Surface Action Group providing protection for convoy of supply ships en route from Boston to Northern Europe.
Operation Ocean Safari Completed
Operation Ocean Safari completed following rendezvous with USS America Battle Group, USS IOWA went on through English Channel to Le Havre, France, then Copenhagen & Aarhus, Denmark and Oslo, Norway.
Heading for Norfolk
Underway for Norfolk, conducting numerous drills/exercises en route.
Heading for Central America
Navy photographers and cameramen film the Iowa (BB-61) from Contractor’s Ridge as the ship passes through the Gaillard Cut during a 12-hour transit of the canal, 24 February 1986.
Central America in March
Continued presence in Central American waters.
Captain Larry Seaquist, USN Becomes Commanding Officer
Ronald Reagan Aboard
Carried President Ronald Reagan for Liberty Weekend’s International Naval Review in Hudson River.
Operational and Training Exercises
During the month of August, she was underway along Florida coast and in Gulf of Mexico conducting operational and training exercises.
Underway for the North Atlantic
Underway for North Atlantic and (NATO) Operation Northern Wedding.
Operation Northern Wedding
In the month of September, participated in Operation Northern Wedding off southern coast of Norway, Following operations at sea, USS IOWA visited Portsmouth, England and Bremerhaven, West Germany.
Returning to the US
Underway for return trip to United States.
Pioneer RPV Launch & Recovery
Underway for sea trials off Virginia Capes. First launch, flight and recovery of a Pioneer RPV were made.
Fired 1000th round of 16-inch ammunition
USS IOWA fired 1,000th round of 16-inch ammunition since being recommissioned in 1984.
A view of the breach end of the center Mark 7 16-inch/50-caliber gun inside the No. 2 turret aboard the battleship Iowa (BB-61) on 14 December 1986. Loaded in the gun is what will be the 1,000th round fired by the Iowa’s 16-inch guns since the ship’s recommissioning.
Arrived in Guantanamo Bay
Arrived Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for ORI (Operational Readiness Inspection).
Participated in FLEETEX 3-87 in Western Atlantic
Participated in Exercise Display Determination
Port Visit in Istanbul
Transited Suez Canal
Captain Fred P. Moosally, USN Becomes Commanding Officer
Port Visit in Florida
En route to Port Everglades, Florida for port visit (9-11 October).
Gunnery exercises at Vieques Island.
Turret Two Explosion
Explosion within Turret Two kills 47 crewmen off the coast of Puerto Rico.
Return to Norfolk
July 24 until August 1
Restricted availability, Marseille, France. Cut short one week due to contingency operations in the Mediterranean, off the Lebanese coast.