USS Normandy is on a regularly scheduled deployment with the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) battle group, conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. Modern U. S. Navy guided missile cruisers perform primarily in a Battle Force role. These ships are multi-mission surface combatants capable of supporting carrier battle groups, amphibious forces, or of operating independently and as flagships of surface action groups. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Mathew Keane.