Command, Simpson was not escorting the tanker, but was monitoring its progress from away and responded immediately to rescue the crew. The fire was so intense that US ships could not approach it and Surf City burned for two weeks. At the time, the fire was feared to be the result of an attack or a mine, but the NTSB later determined it to be an accident. In March 1992, during Simpson's third deployment, Simpson and escorted and two supply ships into the Persian Gulf. At the time, Iraq was refusing to comply with UN weapons inspection and the ships departed the Persian Gulf in early April after inspections resumed. In August 1993 on Simpsons fourth deployment she was again assigned to escort Carrier Group Six with America. During the deployment Simpson participated in Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise in the Adriatic Sea and supported Operation Continue Hope off Somalia. Simpson returned to homeport in February 1994. In May 1994, Simpson was one of the ships enforcing United Nations sanctions on Haiti. 1995 Simpson deployed to the Caribbean Sea for counter drug operations in late 1994 and again in February 1995. In November 1995, Simpson deployed to the Mediterranean joining the United States Sixth Fleet NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlantic. Simpson operated in the Adriatic Sea enforcing UN arms embargo against Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina and participating in Operation Sharp Guard. Simpson returned to Norfolk 8 May 1996. 2000s Capt. Gerald F. DeConto, Simpsons commanding officer from September 1998 to April 2000, was killed at the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 attacks. In July 2002, Simpson responded to Malpelo Island to medevac a wounded Colombian Marine who had received three gunshot wounds. Simpson deployed with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 44, Det. 10 as part of NATO's Standing Naval Forces Atlantic on 22 September 2004 returning 20 December 2004. Simpson visited New York City 12 October 2004 during this deployment. Simpsons Mk 13 missile launcher was removed sometime in 2005 prior to her next deployment. On 3 January 2006, Simpson deployed with HSL-42, Det. 9, joining Standing NRF Maritime Group 1 and participated in a number of international naval exercises in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Sea returning to Mayport 24 June 2006. On 5 October 2007, Simpson deployed with HSL-46, Det. 7 and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 405, to the eastern