of the newly established Central Command in the Persian Gulf and helped enforce United Nations sanctions against Iraq. In company with the Independence battle group, Fife sailed for home on 17 September and, following stops at Pattaya Beach and Hong Kong, arrived in Yokosuka on 13 October. In October, Fife entered Dry Dock 5 at Yokosuka for regular system maintenance and repair. Work was complete in February 1994. After successful sea trials in early April, Fife got underway on 13 April for an extended post-overhaul cruise into the southern Pacific waters. In May, the destroyer sailed on to Thailand, where she participated in Exercise "Cobra Gold" before returning to Yokosuka on 1 June. On 4 July 1995 the destroyer USS Fife conducted a five-day port visit to Vladivostok, Russia, during which it celebrate both America's Independence Day and the city's 135th anniversary. Underway again on 22 August 1995, Fife transited the Straits of Malacca on 30 August and, after catching up to the Independence Battle Group, arrived in Bahrain on 9 September. In a reprise of her last visit, Fife assumed the duties of Ready Strike Platform in the northern Persian Gulf and carried out Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) as required. As part of the latter duties, Fife's Visit, Boarding, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team uncovered thousands of contraband automobile tires and batteries hidden in the Indian-flagged tramp Al Shakeel. This was the largest seizure in months and caused a shift in focus toward smaller ships and dhows previously overlooked. Although the Independence BG departed the area in October, Fife remained on station owing to a shortage of strike platforms in the region. Departing the region on 13 November, Fife steamed for home and arrived in Yokosuka on 7 December, following stops at Phukett and Singapore. On 6 June, during RIMPAC '96, Fife helped protect Independence during the numerous war-at-sea exercises and attacks by "enemy" surface action groups and submarines. At one point, the Japanese warship Yuugiri accidentally shot down an A-6 Intruder from Independence during a live-fire CIWS exercise. Fife closed the area to help rescue both aviators and recover wreckage for analysis. The ship's crew ended the operation with a port visit in Pearl Harbor, a rare stateside visit for forward deployed naval forces. During a Bible Study session with crewmembers on 15 December 1996, Captain Tamayo fell into a coma and died while being transported to the