sanctions against Iraq in Operation Southern Watch. During the May 1996 deployment, the Battle Group sortied from the Gulf to conduct contingency operation off the coast of Taiwan. One month into their 1997/1998 around the world cruise, the Nimitz/Nine team responded to the Secretary of Defense's order to proceed to the Persian Gulf at best speed to reinforce the Southern "No Fly Zone" over Iraq and provide a presence amid the crisis which led to Operation Desert Fox. CVW-9 ended its association with in March, 1998, and deployed in 2000 on as part of the Carrier Group Seven. Following the 11 September attacks, the Stennis/Nine team provided air protection to the West Coast of the United States in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Shortly after, the Stennis/Nine team deployed to North Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean flying combat missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom before returning to homeport May 2002. CVW-9 made another deployment less than nine months after returning home in January 2003 to the Western Pacific aboard the . Operations included maritime patrol, security operations and participation with allied navies in joint operations and training. In 2005 CVW-9 made an Around the World Cruise aboard the as part of Carrier Strike Group Three. During this cruise the air wing took part in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations with allied forces in the Persian Gulf. CVW-9 squadrons embarked on board the Carl Vinson for the deployment included Marine Fighter Squadron 323 (VMFA-323), Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154), Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147), Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146), all with F/A-18 Hornets, Electronic Attack Squadron 138 (VAQ-138) with EA-6B Prowlers, Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112 (VAW-112) with E-2C Hawkeyes, Sea Control Squadron 33 (VS-33) with Lockheed S-3 Vikings, Helicopter Squadron 8 (HS-8) with HH-60 Seahawks, and Detachment 4 of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40) with Grumman C-2 Greyhounds.: During the deployment, the air wing logged 2,600 flight hours by its four F-18 strike-fighter squadrons. This overseas deployment marked the final overseas mission for Sea Control Squadron 33 (VS-33), the Screwbirds. On 12 January 2006 aboard the Carrier Air Wing Nine held a historic change of command where United States Marine Corps Colonel Doug 'Smash' Yurovich became the first Marine commanding officer of a Navy carrier air wing after relieving Captain Michael Spence, as part of the Navy