Upon arrival in the Red Sea, under command of CTG 152.1, Commander Maritime Interdiction Forces, "Spruance" assumed the duties of the flagship for the task force commander. While on station, "Spruance" was the flagship for three different task force commanders. While on station, "Spruance" conducted exercises with the Egyptian Navy and the Jordanian Navy. During "Spruance's" tenure in the Red Sea, she conducted several port visits to Hurghada, Egypt, for crew rest and relaxation. Other official port visits were conducted in Safaga, Egypt, and Aqaba, Jordan, where "Spruance" hosted receptions for top military and embassy officials. On 10 September 1993, "Spruance" intercepted the 18,000th ship since sanctions were put into place in August 1990, as part of the multinational maritime interception effort enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq. The ship's crew intercepted the Maltese-flagged bulk carrier "Early Star" in the North Red Sea during normal intercept operations. The merchant ship was sailing from Massaua, Eritrea, to Aqaba. As the ship was empty, it was allowed to proceed toward its destination.