In March 1985 , CVW-8 embarked again on USS '' Nimitz '' for a Mediterranean deployment which included participation in several exercises including Distant Hammer , Poop Deck , and Bright Star . During this deployment , USS '' Nimitz '' and CVW-8 were stationed off the coast of Beirut , Lebanon for 69 consecutive days during the terrorist hijacking of a TWA airliner . The prompt response and threat of contingency strike operations by USS '' Nimitz '' and CVW-8 helped coerce the Iranian-backed terrorists into releasing their hostages
hijacking of a TWA airliner
TWA Flight 847
Carrier Air Wing Eight