I served aboard the USS America where we patrolled the Persian Gulf watching Iraq after Desert Storm. We still flew flights over Iraq to insure their Air Force stayed grounded. The last deployment to the Persian Gulf was Operation Southern Watch. Since it was still considered a war zone, the Southwest Asia medal was still awarded. I retired from the Navy Feb 1994.

From http://ussamerica-museumfoundation.org/history.html:
Departing Norfolk in August (1991) for eight weeks, she became the first carrier to pass into Havesfjord, Norway. Less then two months later AMERICA departed on 2 December for her second deployment of the year. This uneventful six-month cruise would see AMERICA return to the Persian Gulf, and thus become the first carrier to redeploy to the region following the Gulf War. Exercises would also place her in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, as well as the Mediterranean, before returning to Norfolk in June 1992.

After a well deserved leave period, AMERICA underwent repairs from July to December at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. After sea trials, January thru July 1993 were spent with training exercises in preparation for her upcoming third deployment within three years. She was underway in August for the Mediterranean.

Reflecting the changing role being tested by the Navy following the end of the Cold War, AMERICA sailed with some 235 Marines and their four CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters as part of a Joint Task Group. To make the room one F-14A Tomcat squadron, VF-33, was left behind.

AMERICA arrived on station 26 August (1993) to begin operations in the Adriatic Sea in support of NATO/UN Operations Deny Flight (no-fly zone over Bosnia), as well as Provide Promise (food drops) and Sharp Guard (maritime blockade). On 27 October, while still in the Adriatic Sea, AMERICA was ordered to transit the Suez Canal and proceed to the coast of Somalia as the situation in that country continued to deteriorate. Arriving on 4 November, she supported U.S.-backed UN forces engaged in Operation Continue Hope until departing 30 days later. As she passed northward through the Red Sea toward the Suez Canal, the ship and CVW-1 provided support for the no-fly zone over southern Iraq, Operation Southern Watch. Following the holidays, AMERICA spent one week on station again in the Adriatic before departing on 14 January 1994. She was home to Norfolk in early February.