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APPENDIX C
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Chronology of Significant Events 1979 16 July
Saddam Hussein becomes president of Iraq.
4 November
Iranian militants seize U.S. embassy personnel, starting the Iranian hostage crisis.
1980 March
The U.S. Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force is established.
22 September
Iraq launches air strikes against Iran, beginning the Iran-Iraq War.
23 September
Iraq invades Iran.
1981 January
Iran launches first counteroffensive against Iraq.
20 January
The Iranian hostage crisis ends.
7 June
Israeli Air Force destroys Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor.
1982 July
The first battle of Basrah between Iran and Iraq takes place.
1983 1 January
U.S. Central Command is established.
1985 27 November
Gen George B. Crist becomes commander of U.S. Central Command.
1987 January
The second battle of Basrah occurs.
17 May
USS Stark (FFG 31) is hit by two Iraqi Exocet missiles.
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