"Gunston Hall" deployed as part of the USS "Kearsarge" (KSG) amphibious ready group (ARG) on 14 April, 1999 and returned to Hampton Roads 14 October, 1999, following a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean. The other ships of the ARG were KSG (LHD 3), and USS "Ponce" (LPD 15) (PON), with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (26 MEU(SOC)) and Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6 embarked. On 15 April, 1999, "Gunston Hall" embarked K Company of 3/8 Marines with their Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs) in Morehead City, NC.