HISTORY
Only one year after commissioning, in December of 1990, NORMANDY joined the America battlegroup, sailing to Kuwait to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The multinational effort aimed to kick the oppressive Iraqi regime, led by the then dictator Saddam Hussain, out of the small gulf country. While in fifth fleet, or the area encompassing the Middle East, NORMANDY fired 26 Tomahawk cruise missiles, provided air defense for the joint military operations in the region, and conducting maritime interdiction operations.
In 1995, NORMANDY would once again join the America Battle Group and deploy to the Adriatic. During this period, NORMANDY would provide air defense and air control to support a variety of NATO operations off the coast of Yugoslavia. During Operation Provide Promise, the longest running humanitarian airlift took place in history, where over 21 countries provided food, medicine, and supplies to evacuate over 1300 wounded people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While this was ongoing, Operation Dent Flight was also taking place, where NATO enforced a no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was later extended to include providing close air support for UN troops and air strikes against hostile targets. Due to shaping the battlespace, this would later support Operation Deliberate Force, where Normandy would once again provide air defense and air control during the massive bombing campaign to lift the siege of Sarajevo. 13 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from NORMANDY at command and control sites, but also successfully testing the state of the art block III Tomahawk cruise missile for the first time. Combined, these actions sent a strong message to cease hostilities, to which it would ultimately lead to successful peace talks.
Just before the turn of the century, in October 1997, NORMANDY joined the George Washington battle group. Led by Egypt off the Egyptian coast, 27 total countries participated in Exercise Bright Star to build international relations and foster mutual trust amongst United States Central Command and US Allies in the Middle East. After the exercise’s completion, NORMANDY with the remainder of the Battle Group transited the Suez Canal and entered Fifth Fleet, making best speed towards the Persian Gulf to join the Nimitz Battle Group in a show of force towards Iraqi forces. NORMANDY immediately assumed duties as “Ready Strike”, the platform designated to be prepared to launch Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles at any time. It also assumed its traditional mission, air defense, for the entire Persian Gulf.
In June 2000, NORMANDY and the George Washington Battle group deployed to the Mediterranean and Arabian Sea. While in the Arabian Sea, USS George Washington launched F/A-18s to deliver airstrikes onto targets in Iraq. Known as Operation Southern Watch, NORMANDY provided air defense and air controlling to support controlling Iraqi airspace by targeting Iraqi SAM sites, airfields, and C2 structures. After being relieved in the Red Sea, the George Washington Battle group was ordered to make best speed to the Ionian Sea to provide a stabilizing presence in the region. During this time, September 2000, Serbian elections were ongoing that proved to be volatile and unpredictable, leading to open conflict and demonstrations between opposition parties and the government. Before returning back to Norfolk, NORMANDY and the George Washington Battle Group participated in Exercise Destined Glory, a multinational exercise consisting of 8 countries to improve joint amphibious operations.
In June of 2002, NORMANDY deployed once again with the George Washington Battle Group. Commencing support of Operation Ensuring Freedom, the Battle Group flew 925 combat sorties in support of the operation in Afghanistan. NORMANDY assumed traditional roles for air defense and air controlling. Afterwards, the George Washington Battle Group returned to the Mediterranean to participate in a bilateral exercise with Morocco called “Mediterranean Shark”. It showed the effectiveness of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). In October that year, before returning to Norfolk, NORMANDY and the George Washington Battle Group participated in Exercise Destined Glory once more, this time sending a detachment to Croatia to better train the Croatian Air Force.
In March of 2005, NORMANDY deployed with the Kearsage Expeditionary Strike Group, to both the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf. After numerous exercises to include working with the Royal Moroccan Navy, landing the 26th MEU on Djibouti and Jordanian beaches, and offloading equipment at the Kuwait Naval base, the ESG returned to Norfolk following a successful deployment.
In 2007, NORMANDY deployed on a 7 month NATO cruise, ultimately being awarded the Article 5 NATO Medal. Supporting Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG 1), Normandy participated in the UK-led exercise Neptune Warrior that included maritime interdiction, operations quick reaction force protection scenarios, anti-submarine, strike and air warfare scenarios and live gunnery exercises. Throughout this deployment, NORMANDY would work with multiple NATO partners including the UK, Lithuania, Greece, and Norway. Normandy would also visit all the way down South Africa. On this deployment, Sailors would earn both their Bluenose and Emerald Shellback, the former being earned when sailors enter the Arctic Circle and later being awarded when crossing the Equator and Prime Meridian at the same time.
Following the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti, NORMANDY departed Norfolk in anticipation for providing Humanitarian relief in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the country. Supporting USSOUTHCOM’s Operation Unified Response, the US Military’s response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, the combined military effort allowed for flying in relief supplies, flying out evacuees, and establishing a field hospital near the Port-au-Prince. NORMANDY with the embarked Helicopter squadron, HSL 46, delivered 75,142 pounds of food and water with an additional 3,000 pounds of medical supplies. In May that year, NORMANDY departed for its scheduled deployment to operate in both the sixth fleet and fifth fleet AOR. The crew would return December that year after seven months.
In 2015, NORMANDY deployed with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, deployed on an around the world deployment. Beginning in Europe, NORMANDY would find itself visiting Bahrain, Bengal, Singapore, and many other countries. While off the coast of Yemen, NORMANDY would intercept suspected Iranian weapons shipments to aid the Houthi rebels. More than 1,000 pounds of equipment were seized from both NORMANDY’s VBSS team and embarked helicopter squadron. In December, Normandy would return to Norfolk with the remainder of the Carrier Strike Group.
In 2019, NORMANDY would deploy to fifth fleet for presence operations. While patrolling in the Arabian Sea, NORMANDY seized a stateless dhow, a small wooden boat commonly found in the Middle East, carrying 358 surface to air missiles suspected to be en route to Houthi rebels. The initial deployment was extended by an additional 2 months, as the Navy extended NORMANDY’s deployment while the world battles with the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the Navy deemed it was safe, the Normandy moored pierside in late 2020 after spending nearly 3 months anchored off the Virginia Coast.
In May 2023, NORMANDY deployed for the USS Gerald R. Ford’s maiden deployment to 6th fleet. Traveling all over Europe, to include Sweden, the Balkans, Turkey, and Greece, NORMANDY conducted numerous exercises with NATO countries and partners. Just prior to executing Exercise Lightning Handshake, a planned exercise between Morocco and the NORMANDY to include air defense exercises and live naval gunfire support, NORMANDY received orders to make best speed to the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite being almost a month away from returning from deployment, NORMANDY responded to the region in response to the October 8th Hamas attack on Israel. Along with the initial Gerald R. Ford Strike Group, the USS Carney, USS Roosevelt, USS Delbert D Black, the USS The Sullivans, and numerous NATO countries also aided in presence ops to help bring stability to the region. After being relieved by the Bataan ARG, NORMANDY returned to Norfolk after a 9 month deployment.