The USS Normandy (CG 60) (right), the fast attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) (center), and the fast combat support ship USS Seattle (AOE 3) (left) transit the Suez Canal on Nov. 16, 1997, as they head from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. The three U.S. ships are part of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) battle group which has been ordered to the Persian Gulf to join the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) battle group already on station. The two battle groups will be operating in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch which is the U.S. and coalition enforcement of the no-fly-zone over Southern Iraq.