On 3 July 1990, "Adelaide" became the first Australian warship to visit Tahiti since 1970. On 10 August, "Adelaide", sister ship , and the replenishment ship were deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Damask, Australia's participation in the international coalition enforcing sanctions against Iraq following that nation's invasion of Kuwait. "Adelaide" and "Darwin" remained in the area until 3 December, and was used for surveillance and boarding operations. In October 1992, "Adelaide" home port was changed to , making her the first ship of the class homeported in Western Australia under the Two-Ocean Policy.