Beginning 16 November, "Normandy", along with other units of the "George Washington" battle group, transited the Suez Canal, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea. In a record-setting five days, "Normandy" and "George Washington" entered the Persian Gulf and joined the Battle Group in an impressive show of force and United Nation resolve to Iraq. "Normandy" immediately assumed duties as the "Ready Strike" platform in the Gulf and, later, also assumed duties as the air-defense commander for the entire Persian Gulf. For four months "Normandy" patrolled the Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. During this time, she conducted several successful maritime-interception operations along with her strike and air-defense duties.