 In January 1998, VAW-115 and the "Independence" Battle Group were called upon to participate in various Persian Gulf contingency operations in support of United Nations sanctions.After transitioning to the E-2C Group II Navigation Upgrade aircraft, VAW-115 cross-decked with CVW-5 to in mid 1998.In February 2003, the squadron was once again called to the Persian Gulf to support Operation Southern Watch and flew 46 combat sorties until the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003.