Having returned from the Persian Gulf in May 1990, after only a few months in UK "Cardiff" sailed again, as a reinforcement to Group X-Ray, , and who had sailed to relieve Armilla Group Whiskey, which consisted of , and . "Cardiff" and were to form part of the air defence barrier along with , and protecting three United States aircraft carriers: , and . "Cardiff" had other responsibilities, including surface surveillance and boarding operations, to maintain the security around the task force.