2000s
The 2001 deployment took Nicholas to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. While in the Mediterranean, she conducted numerous boardings in support of United Nations sanctions. On 11 September, Nicholas sortied on an emergency basis from Valletta, Malta and conducted sustained underway operations until returning to her home port of Norfolk, Virginia six months later.
In 2003 the vessel became the first warship to enter Neum, Bosnia since 1917, and the first U.S. warship ever. While there, Nicholas hosted the Bosnian Tri-Presidency and numerous government and military officials.
Nicholas operated as the sole US warship in the Mediterranean for her six month deployment and acted as a surrogate for the Argentina ship Sarandi, enhancing international relations and building new alliances. She participated in multiple exercises and operations and achieved historic distinction when she tracked and assisted in the interception of a merchant ship loaded with nuclear centrifuges bound for Libya. US Government officials directly linked the interception of this vessel to the abandonment of Libya's nuclear weapons program.
The Nicholas deployed again in 2005 on a 3-month cruise, making port calls in Spain, Denmark, France and Greece. In 2006 she deployed once more to the Persian Gulf, conducting patrols around the Iraqi oil terminals Kaot & Abot, alongside the USS McFaul, HMAS Balarat, and other coalition warships. In 2008 the Nicholas deployed once more as part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group-1.
Read more about this topic: USS Nicholas (FFG-47)