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Guided Missile Cruiser
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CG 53 -
USS Mobile Bay
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USS Mobile Bay (CG 53)
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US Navy photo
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Type,
Class:
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Guided Missile Cruiser; Ticonderoga (Baseline 2) - class;
planned and built as CG 53; |
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Builder:
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STATUS:
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Awarded: January 15, 1982 Laid down: June 6, 1984 Launched: August 22, 1985 Commissioned:
February 21, 1987 ACTIVE in
Service / PACIFIC FLEET |
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Homeport:
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Naval Station San Diego, California
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Namesake:
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named after and in honor of
the Battle of Mobile Bay – American Civil War – August
1864. |
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Ship’s
Motto:
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FULL SPEED AHEAD
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Technical Data:
(Measures, Propulsion, Armament,
Aviation, etc.)
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see: INFO
>> Guided
Missile Cruiser / Ticonderoga – Class |
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Pictures,
photos & more ...
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USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) steams alongside
the aircraft carrier Constellation (CV 64) – February 2003 |
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Fort Morgan, Alabama Map of the Mobile Bay area and Fort
Morgan |
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Photo credits: US Navy |
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Namesake
& History: |
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About the Naval
Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama – American Civil War, August 1864: |
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USS MOBILE BAY takes its
name from the famous Civil War naval battle between Union forces under the
command of Admiral David Farragut, and Confederate forces, under Admiral
Franklin Buchanan. As "Freedom's Flagship," MOBILE BAY proudly
carries on the tradition of patriotism and courage displayed by the ships and
sailors in the historic battle. |
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USS Mobile Bay (CG
53): |
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USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) was
laid down by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula MS 6 June 1984; launched 22
August 1985; and commissioned 21 February 1987 at the Alabama State Docks in
Mobile, Alabama. After commissioning, Mobile
Bay joined the U. S. Atlantic Fleet, arriving at its Mayport, FL, homeport in
March 1987. Following a year of crew qualifications, tests and systems
trials, Mobile Bay embarked on its maiden deployment on 11 May 1989. During
this cruise, Mobile Bay earned its first two awards: the Sea Service
Deployment Ribbon and the Armed Services Expeditionary Medal, for operations
conducted in the Gulf of Oman. In June of 1990, Mobile Bay
shifted homeports from Mayport, FL, to Yokosuka, Japan. Shortly thereafter,
Mobile Bay deployed in August 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield and
Storm, becoming the first Aegis cruiser to circumnavigate the globe. In the
Arabian Gulf, the ship distinguished itself by becoming the first Battle
Force Anti-Air Warfare Commander to control a four-carrier Task Force. Mobile
Bay launched 22 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile strikes, and controlling
carrier-launched attack aircraft that contributed to the complete destruction
of the Iraqi Navy. In May of 1991, Mobile Bay was
ordered to Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, to participate in
Operation Fiery Vigil, the evacuation of thousands of people displaced by the
volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. In December 1991, Mobile Bay began
work-ups for a spring 1992 Arabian Gulf deployment. On 15 April 1992, Mobile Bay
once again set sail for the Arabian Gulf. En route, the ship and crew visited
Sydney, Australia, to represent the U. S. Navy at the 50th Anniversary
celebration of the Battle of Coral Sea. Sailing through the Straits of Hormuz
in late May 1992, the ship began duties as the Arabian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare
Commander. Mobile Bay also played a vital role in Operation Southern Watch,
the enforcement of the U. N.-mandated "No Fly Zone" over Southern
Iraq. Returning to Japan in October, Mobile Bay participated in ANNUALEX-92,
a major naval exercise involving units of the U. S. Navy and the Japanese
Maritime Self Defense Force. Mobile Bay served as the Anti-Air Warfare
Commander for a joint U. S. - Japanese flotilla. In May 1993, Mobile Bay
steamed to Western Australia for SPRING TRAINING-93, a multi-national
exercise involving units of the U.S., Royal Australian, and Singaporean
Navies. In September of 1993, Mobile Bay made an historic visit to the
Russian seaport of Vladivostok. Departing Russia, Mobile Bay participated in
ANNUALEX-93 before returning to Yokosuka to finish preparations for an
upcoming Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf deployment. On 17 November 1993, Mobile
Bay departed Yokosuka for a third deployment in three years. Arriving in the Arabian
Gulf a month later, Mobile Bay immediately assumed duties as Anti-Air Warfare
Commander for naval forces in the Gulf. Remaining on station until February
1994, Mobile Bay helped to maintain stability in the region. Mobile Bay
completed this deployment on 17 March 1994, returning to Yokosuka. In May of 1994, Mobile Bay
left home waters to participate in RIMPAC-94, a month-long exercise in the
mid-Pacific involving over 50 warships from five Pacific Rim nations. In spring 1999, the Mobile Bay
sailed three times through the Taiwan Straits during a period of tension
between Taiwan and China, and in June 1999 it was dispatched to Korea during
the "Crab Wars" over fishing rights between North and South Korea. In early May 1999, Mobile Bay
deployed to Singapore to participate in the 1999 International Maritime
Defense Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia, there. In mid-1999, the Mobile Bay
deployed to serve US forces supporting INTERFET operations off the coast of
East Timor. Sailing south on August 23, 1999, for a series of routine
Australian port visits and Exercise Crocodile 99, Mobile Bay was redirected
by Commander, 7th Fleet, and told to sail for the waters of East Timor. As
the first U.S. forces on the scene, Mobile Bay was designated as Commander,
Joint Task Force Timor Sea Operations (CJTF TSO). During Timor Sea
operations, Mobile Bay performed many missions including guard ship; U.S.
armed forces sanctuary; air surveillance; intelligence gathering; Timor
ground operations repair efforts; link manager; (which provided primary air
tracking in support of aircraft into and out of East Timor carrying supplies
and troops); and ship escort. Following the East Timor
operation, Mobile Bay visited Singapore; Pattaya, Thailand; Kagoshima and
Sasebo, Japan. After the Sasebo port visit, Mobile Bay participated in early
November in the joint exercise Annualex, with the Japanese navy. In July 2000, Mobile Bay
changed homeports from Yokosuka, Japan, to San Diego, CA, ending 10 years of
7th Fleet service. Mobile Bay was refurbished in
2001 as one of the Navy’s first Smart Ships, the cruiser Mobile Bay, and one
of four ships selected to test how well Navy vessels can operate with sharply
reduced crews. The Mobile Bay had been nominated for the Navy’s Optimal
Manning Project, an early test of concepts to be integrated into the design
of DD-21. On 21 December 2001, a U.S.
Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, operating from the USS Mobile Bay,
seized 10.5 metric tons of cocaine approximately 800 miles southwest of Acapulco,
Mexico. The Mobile Bay departed with
the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group in July 2002 for a WESTPAC deployment. This
deployment turned out to be the longest that it or the Battle Group had ever
experienced, lasting over nine months. The Mobile Bay returned to San Diego
on 25 April 2003. In June 2004, she deployed
with join Expeditionary Strike Group III centered around Belleau Wood (LHA-3)
to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf. |
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patches |
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