Changes

In the opening phases of the Marianas campaign, ''Iowa'' protected the flattops during air strikes on the islands of [[Saipan]], [[Tinian]], Guam, Rota, and Pagan on 12 June. She was then detached to bombard enemy installations on Saipan and Tinian on 13–14 June. On 19 June, in an engagement known as the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]], ''Iowa'', as part of the battle line of Fast Carrier Task Force 58, helped repel four massive air raids launched by the Japanese Middle Fleet. This resulted in the almost complete destruction of Japanese carrier-based aircraft. ''Iowa'' then joined in the pursuit of the fleeing enemy fleet, shooting down one torpedo plane and assisting in splashing another.

In the opening phases of the Marianas campaign, ''Iowa'' protected the flattops during air strikes on the islands of [[Saipan]], [[Tinian]], Guam, Rota, and Pagan on 12 June. She was then detached to bombard enemy installations on Saipan and Tinian on 13–14 June. On 19 June, in an engagement known as the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]], ''Iowa'', as part of the battle line of Fast Carrier Task Force 58, helped repel four massive air raids launched by the Japanese Middle Fleet. This resulted in the almost complete destruction of Japanese carrier-based aircraft. ''Iowa'' then joined in the pursuit of the fleeing enemy fleet, shooting down one torpedo plane and assisting in splashing another.

Throughout the following July, ''Iowa'' remained off the Marianas supporting air strikes on the Palaus and landings on Guam. After a month's rest, ''Iowa'' sortied from Eniwetok as part of the 3d Fleet, and helped support the landings on Peleliu on 17 September. She then protected the carriers during air strikes against the Central [[Philippines]] to neutralize enemy air power for the long awaited invasion of the Philippines. On 10 October ''Iowa'' arrived off [[Okinawa]] for a series of air strikes on the Ryukyus and Formosa. She then supported air strikes against Luzon on 18 October and continued this vital duty during [[Douglas MacArthur|General MacArthur's]] landing at Leyte on 20 October.

Throughout the following July, ''Iowa'' remained off the Marianas supporting air strikes on the Palaus and landings on Guam. After a month's rest, ''Iowa'' sortied from Eniwetok as part of the 3d Fleet, and helped support the landings on Peleliu on 17 September. She then protected the carriers during air strikes against the Central [[Philippines]] to neutralize enemy air power for the long-awaited invasion of the Philippines. On 10 October ''Iowa'' arrived off [[Okinawa]] for a series of air strikes on the Ryukyus and Formosa. She then supported air strikes against Luzon on 18 October and continued this vital duty during [[Douglas MacArthur|General MacArthur's]] landing at Leyte on 20 October.

In a last ditch attempt to halt the United States campaign to recapture the Philippines, the Japanese Navy struck back with a three-pronged attack aimed at the destruction of American amphibious forces in Leyte Gulf. ''Iowa'' accompanied TF-38 during attacks against the Japanese Central Force as it steamed through the Sibuyan Sea toward San Bernardino Strait. The reported results of these attacks and the apparent retreat of the Japanese Central Force led [[William F. Halsey, Jr.|Admiral Halsey]] to believe that this force had been ruined as an effective fighting group. ''Iowa'', with Task Force 38, then steamed after the Japanese Northern Force off Cape Engano, Luzon.  

In a last ditch attempt to halt the United States campaign to recapture the Philippines, the Japanese Navy struck back with a three-pronged attack aimed at the destruction of American amphibious forces in Leyte Gulf. ''Iowa'' accompanied TF-38 during attacks against the Japanese Central Force as it steamed through the Sibuyan Sea toward San Bernardino Strait. The reported results of these attacks and the apparent retreat of the Japanese Central Force led [[William F. Halsey, Jr.|Admiral Halsey]] to believe that this force had been ruined as an effective fighting group. ''Iowa'', with Task Force 38, then steamed after the Japanese Northern Force off Cape Engano, Luzon.  

==1980's==

==1980's==

After two and a half decades in mothballs, ''Iowa'' was modernized under President [[Ronald Reagan]]'s the 1981 defense buildup, which included $1.7 billion dollars in upgrades for her and her three sister ships.  Towed from Philadelphia to Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, she spent the next three years receiving the latest weapons technology - including Tomahawk cruise and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and the Phalanx close-in weapons system; some of the upgrades necessitated the removal of four 5-inch gun mounts, reducing her compliment of these guns to twelve.  ''Iowa'' was recommissioned 28 April 1984, becoming, along with her sisters, an integral part of surface action groups assigned for a tactical mission.  She went to European waters in 1985, 1986 and 1987 through 1988, with the latter cruise continuing into the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

After two and a half decades in mothballs, ''Iowa'' was modernized under President [[Ronald Reagan]]'s the 1981 defense buildup, which included $1.7 billion in upgrades for her and her three sister ships.  Towed from Philadelphia to Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, she spent the next three years receiving the latest weapons technology - including Tomahawk cruise and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and the Phalanx close-in weapons system; some of the upgrades necessitated the removal of four 5-inch gun mounts, reducing her compliment of these guns to twelve.  ''Iowa'' was recommissioned 28 April 1984, becoming, along with her sisters, an integral part of surface action groups assigned for a tactical mission.  She went to European waters in 1985, 1986 and 1987 through 1988, with the latter cruise continuing into the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

==Turret explosion==

==Turret explosion==