On 26 February 1998 with Carrier Air Wing Seven embarked, John C. Stennis left Norfolk for her maiden deployment, transiting the Suez Canal on 7 March and arriving in the Persian Gulf on 11 March 1998. The ship traveled in 274 hours, an average speed of to relieve in conducting Operation Southern Watch missions. John C. Stennis departed the Persian Gulf on 19 July 1998 for her new home port of Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, arriving on 26 August 1998. In October 1998, she entered a six-month maintenance and upgrade period at North Island, returning to sea in April 1999. During the maintenance period, a jet blast deflector collapsed, severely injuring two sailors.
on 26 february 1998 with carrier air wing seven embarked john c stennis left norfolk for her maiden deployment transiting the suez canal on 7 march and arriving in the persian gulf on 11 march 1998 the ship traveled in 274 hours an average speed of to relieve in conducting operation southern watch missions john c stennis departed the persian gulf on 19 july 1998 for her new home port of naval air station north island in san diego california arriving on 26 august 1998 in october 1998 she entered a six-month maintenance and upgrade period at north island returning to sea in april 1999 during the maintenance period a jet blast deflector collapsed severely injuring two sailors