The nuclear powered aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson (L) and USS Enterprise sail in close formation during operations in support of the extended "no-fly zone" over Iraq, operation "Southern Watch", September 22, 1996, in the Gulf. The Pentagon halted the movement of the aircraft carrier Enterprise through the Indian Ocean toward home and ordered the warship to await orders for a possible return to the Gulf to join the Carl Vinson. The Enterprise, which was recently replaced by the carrier Carl Vinson in the Gulf on patrol south of Iraq, was stopped after a series of deadly and coordinated
terrorist attacks hit the USA early on September 11, 2001.
—Reuters
