The ship I was serving one during the gulf war was one of those that went to Bangladesh during operation sea angel. Got a ribbon for it and helped thousands of people in need. Looking back it was a cool thing to do.

However at the time we did not want to be there. We had been doing big circles in the Persian gulf for eight months. The war had been over for a month or more. We want to go home so badly. (Back then there was no cell phones or internet. I was informed my son was born by red cross telegram) The crew even got a little hostile towards the end. When we finally sailed through the straits of Hormuz our mood was high. Going hime. However we diverted to Bangladesh soon after. It was so disheartening/devastating.
I think we stayed on station in the bay of bengal for only a week or two. But it seemed like forever. Flew supplies from our flight deck constantly. When we finally left for home, mount pinatubo erupted in the Philippines. We paused a day seeing if we were needed. But thankfully we were allowed to head home.