Air Force participated with a trio of 2,000-pound bombs. Nicholson deployed with the Enterprise carrier battle group, with Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW 3) embarked, for a scheduled six-month deployment on 6 November 1998, and to relieve the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier battle group in Operation Southern Watch. With the Enterprise CVBG, Nicholson took part in Operation Desert Fox, an operation designed to degrade Saddam Hussein's ability to deliver chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, and wage war against his neighbors, from 16 to 18 December 1998. During the 70-hour assault, Nicholson launched Tomahawk cruise missiles on Iraqi targets. Following this, and after departing the Persian Gulf on 2 January 1998, and transiting through the Suez Canal, Nicholson joined U.S. 6th Fleet and took part in Operation Allied Force, launching Tomahawks at numerous sites in Yugoslavia. She returned home on 6 May 1998. Nicholson and the fast combat support ship USS Detroit were involved in a minor collision on 27 August 2000 about 100 miles east of Cape Henry (east of Norfolk). The collision occurred at approximately 8:45 pm local time while the ships were conducting a night underway replenishment. Initial reports indicated minor damage to both ships. Two Nicholson sailors also suffered minor injuries. Both ships were still seaworthy after the incident. Nicholson deployed with the Enterprise carrier battle group and USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) for a scheduled six-month deployment. This was the 17th overseas deployment for Enterprise since her maiden voyage on 12 January 1962. The Enterprise CVBG and Kearsarge ARG relieved the USS Harry Truman CVBG and USS Nassau ARG, which deployed in November 2000. Though the Enterprise battle group departed on 25 April 2001, Nicholson and Thorn, scheduled as late-deployers, and USS McFaul joined the battle group after departing in June. Over the following six months, all these units conducted multi-national and joint operations with navies of various European countries, and visited ports in Mediterranean and Persian Gulf nations. Nicholson participated in strike missions against Afghanistan during 'Operation Enduring Freedom', firing Tomahawk missiles against targets, after 9/11. Nicholson earning "First to Strike" as she launched the first missile of the operation. She and the battle group returned to the U.S. November 2001. Nicholson was decommissioned 20 December 2002; stricken 6 April 2004; and sunk as a target 30 July 2004. Ship's crest The official crest of Nicholson symbolizes the service of five prominent American