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US Navy - Guided Missile Cruiser
CG 54 - USS Antietam
 
cg-54 uss antietam insignia crest patch badge ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser aegis us navy 02x cg-54 uss antietam ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser aegis us navy ingalls pascagoula yokosuka 36x
10/23
Type, class: Guided Missile Cruiser (CG); Ticonderoga class
Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA
 
STATUS:
Awarded: June 20, 1983
Laid down: November 15, 1984
Launched: February 14, 1986
Commissioned: June 6, 1987
IN SERVICE
 

Homeport: forward deployed to Naval Activity Yokosuka, Japan
 Namesake: Battle of Antietam, Maryland / American Civil War, September 1862
Ships Motto: POWER TO PREVAIL
Technical Data: see: INFO > Ticonderoga class Guided Missile Cruiser - CG
 
images

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group photo - off Japan - September 2023

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Java Sea - July 2023

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Sunda Strait - July 2023

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South China Sea - June 2023

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South China Sea - June 2023

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South China Sea - June 2023

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South China Sea - June 2023

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Philippine Sea - June 2023

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Philippine Sea - June 2023

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Philippine Sea - May 2023

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January 2023

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Taiwan Strait - August 2022

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Philippine Sea - August 2022

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Philippine Sea - August 2022

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Philippine Sea - August 2022

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Philippine Sea - August 2022

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Singapore - July 2022

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Philippine Sea - June 2022

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Philippine Sea - June 2022

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Pacific Ocean - May 2022

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returning to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - November 10, 2020

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returning to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - November 2020

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returning to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - November 2020

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returning to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - November 2020

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Philippine Sea - November 2020

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Philippine Sea - November 2020

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Philippine Sea - September 2020

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Philippine Sea - September 2020

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Philippine Sea - September 2020

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Philippine Sea - September 2020

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firepower demonstration - Philippine Sea - September 2020

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firepower demonstration - Philippine Sea - September 2020

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during exercise Valiant Shield - Philippine Sea - September 2020

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during exercise Valiant Shield - Philippine Sea - September 2020

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during exercise Valiant Shield - Philippine Sea - September 2020

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BGM-109 Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) launch during exercise Valiant Shield - Philippine Sea - September 2020

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Pacific Ocean - September 2020

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Philippine Sea - July 2020

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Philippine Sea - July 2020

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South China Sea - July 2020

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Mk.15 Phalanx CIWS fire exercise - Pacific Ocean - June 2020

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Philippine Sea - June 2020

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Philippine Sea - March 2020

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East China Sea - November 2019

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South China Sea - October 2019

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Mk.15 Phalanx CIWS fire exercise - South China Sea - July 2019

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Standard Missile SM-2MR launch during exercise Pacific Vanguard - Philippine Sea - May 2019

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RGM-84 Harpoon SSM missile launch during exercise Pacific Vanguard - Philippine Sea - May 2019

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RGM-84 Harpoon SSM missile launch during exercise Pacific Vanguard - Philippine Sea - May 2019

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Gangjeong, Jeju Island, Republic of Korea - October 2018

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Gangjeong, Jeju Island, Republic of Korea - October 2018

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with Royal Thai Navy ships - East China Sea - October 2018

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during exercise Valiant Shield - Philippine Sea - September 2018

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during exercise Valiant Shield - Philippine Sea - September 2018

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South China Sea - August 2018

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Mk.45 Mod.2 gun fire exercise - East China Sea - August 2018

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Philippine Sea - June 2018

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Philippine Sea - June 2018

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Philippine Sea - March 2018

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Philippine Sea - March 2018

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a Standard Missile SM-2MR was launched - Philippine Sea - March 2018

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Mk.45 Mod.2 gun fire exercise - Philippine Sea - March 2018

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Mk.45 Mod.2 gun fire exercise - Philippine Sea - March 2018

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Mk.45 Mod.2 gun fire exercise - off Japan - February 2018

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in dry dock at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - June 2017

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Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - March 2016

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Manila, Philippines - March 2016

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South China Sea - March 2016

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South China Sea - March 2016

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Philippine Sea - November 2015

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Mk.45 Mod.2 gun fire - Pacific Ocean - June 2015

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ammunition onload - Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - May 2015

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ammunition onload - Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - May 2015

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off Japan - November 2014

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Pacific Ocean - October 2014

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Pacific Ocean - October 2014

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Pacific Ocean - October 2014

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launching a BGM-109 Tomahawk TLAM missile - exercise Valiant Shield - Pacific Ocean - September 2014

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Mk.45 Mod.2 gun fire - off Guam - September 2014

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South China Sea - June 2014

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Philippine Sea - June 2014

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Pacific Ocean - May 2014

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Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - February 2014

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Pacific Ocean - November 2013

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Mk.45 gun fire exercise - Pacific Ocean - September 2013

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departing Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - September 2013

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Brisbane, Australia - July 2013

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during exercise Talisman Sabre - July 2013

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forward Mk.45 Mod.2 gun fire exercise - Philippine Sea - July 2013

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aft Mk.45 Mod.2 gun fire exercise - Philippine Sea - June 2013

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departing Naval Base San Diego, California for a homeport change to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - January 3, 2013

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Christmas lights - Naval Base San Diego, California - December 2012

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departing Naval Base San Diego, California for San Francisco Fleet Week - October 2012

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departing Naval Base San Diego, California - July 2012

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Pacific Ocean - May 2009

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Laem Chabang, Thailand - April 2009

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Pacific Ocean - October 2008

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Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 2007

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during exercise Valiant Shield - Pacific Ocean - August 2007

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during exercise Valiant Shield - Pacific Ocean - August 2007

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Pacific Ocean - August 2007

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Gulf of Oman - May 2007

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Gulf of Oman - May 2007

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Gulf of Oman - May 2007

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Pacific Ocean - February 2007

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Persian Gulf - April 2005

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Pacific Ocean - March 2004

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Fremantle, Australia - September 2003

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Philippine Sea - June 2003

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East China Sea - March 2003

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Pacific Ocean - February 2003

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Pacific Ocean - January 2003

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departing Naval Base San Diego, California - January 2003

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Persian Gulf - 1999

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during exercise RIMPAC 98 - Pacific Ocean - August 1998

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launching an RIM-66 Standard Missile SM-1MR - September 1994

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Operation Southern Watch - April 1994

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Operation Desert Shield - Arabian Gulf - September 1990

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Operation Desert Shield - Arabian Gulf - August 1990

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Operation Desert Shield - Arabian Gulf - August 1990

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Pacific Ocean - January 1989

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undated

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after commissioning - Baltimore, Maryland - June 1987

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commissioning ceremony - Baltimore, Maryland - June 6, 1987

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commissioning ceremony - Baltimore, Maryland - June 6, 1987

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trials - May 1987

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trials - May 1987

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trials - May 1987

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trials - May 1987

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trials - May 1987

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trials - May 1987


Launched: February 14, 1986

Laid down: November 15, 1984
 
 
USS Antietam (CG 54):
 
USS ANTIETAM is the third ship named after the Civil War battle fought along Antietam Creek, near Sharpsburg, Maryland. The first ANTIETAM was a sailing sloop constructed in 1864 that served as a sailing stores ship. The second ANTIETAM (CV-36) was the first aircraft carrier to be fitted with an angled deck, and was re-classified CVS 36 for anti-submarine duty.

Today's USS ANTIETAM (CG-54) was commissioned in Baltimore, Maryland on 6 June 1987. ANTIETAM then steamed through the Panama Canal to her first homeport in Long Beach, California.

ANTIETAM's initial deployment, beginning in September 1988, took her to the Arabian Gulf where she escorted Kuwaiti tankers as part of Operation EARNEST WILL. Following the ship's first full competitive cycle, she was awarded the Battle "E" and the LAMPS MK III Safety Award.

ANTIETAM departed on her second deployment in June 1990. A full schedule of Pacific operations was cut short by the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August. ANTIETAM entered the Arabian Gulf on 6 August, and assumed duties as Anti-Air Warfare Commander for Middle East Force, serving during the early turbulent days of Operation DESERT SHIELD.

For her second deployment, ANTIETAM was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and the Southwest Asia Defense Medal. ANTIETAM received another Battle "E" and the Spokane Trophy for Combat Systems Excellence.

In January of 1992, ANTIETAM again deployed to the Western Pacific, this time for a series of bilateral exercises with regional allies. She conducted joint operations with the Japanese, Singapore and Brunei Navies, and visited ten cities in eight countries.

After winning the Navy-wide 1993 Captain Edward F. Ney Award for Food Service Excellence, ANTIETAM departed in February 1994 on her fourth deployment, again to the Arabian Gulf. She participated in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and hosted many ambassadors and diplomats in the Gulf and Australia.

Returning from deployment, ANTIETAM completed her first regular overhaul in Long Beach, and in late 1995, she switched homeports to San Diego, California. She was awarded the Battle "E" and four of four area awards for the 1995 competitive cycle. In May and June 1996, ANTIETAM participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC-96) Exercise, which included numerous U.S. and foreign naval units in the largest naval exercise ever.

In April 1997, ANTIETAM returned from the Arabian Gulf, completing her fifth deployment, this time with the USS KITTY HAWK Battle Group. She participated in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and VIGILENT SENTINAL, and conducted exercises with the English, French, and South Korean Navies. The ship again won four of four area excellence awards including a fleet-leading eight consecutive red Engineering "E" for excellence. In the middle of 1997, ANTIETAM received the Chief of Naval Operation's Safety Award for Pacific Fleet Cruisers.

During June 1998 ANTIETAM participated in a second Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise. Later that year she deployed for the sixth time to the Western Pacific, making port calls in Singapore, Thailand, Bahrain, The United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Australia before returning home to San Diego in May 1999.

In May of 2000 ANTIETAM participated in a Counter-Narcotics deployment aimed at stemming the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. The highly successful four-month deployment set new standards for counter drug operations and provided the crew with port visits to Mazatlan, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas. Upon returning to San Diego, ANTIETAM was again awarded the Battle "E" for excellence and began work-ups for her seventh Western Pacific deployment in July 2001.

Equipped with the AN/SPY 1A phased array radar, the AEGIS Combat System, and the MK41 Vertical Launch System firing the SM-2 missile, ANTIETAM is the Navy's premier Air Warfare platform. These systems, combined with the AEGIS display System, a vast array of communication systems including JTIDS Link 16, automatic status boards, and seventeen NTDS consoles, make her Command and Control capabilities second to none in supporting a Battle Group Warfare Commander. ANTIETAM is also equipped with the AN/SQS-53A sonar, AN/SQS-19 towed array sonar, and the LAMPS Mk III helicopter giving her unmatched ability to perform both long and short range Undersea Warfare. Two 5"54 caliber MK 45 guns guided by the MK 86 Gun Fire Control System provide a powerful Naval Gun Fire Support capability and augment the Harpoon Weapon System in the role of Surface Warfare. Finally, the Tomahawk Weapon System provides Strike Warfare capabilities allowing ANTIETAM to engage both land and sea targets "over the horizon" with deadly accuracy.

2001 was a challenging year for the officers and crew of ANTIETAM. Beginning with the three-week long intensive pre-deployment workup COMPTUEX in February, the year of 2001 would find ANTIETAM operating at a continuous high tempo. COMPTUEX represented the first time that ANTIETAM operated with the other ships in the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) battle group with which she would be deploying.
In April ANTIETAM went through INSURV and successfully completed both the underway portion and the open and inspect phase. The inspection is a comprehensive review mandated by Congress to ensure that all Navy ships are properly maintained. It also serves to identify any problems that could limit a ship's ability to continue in service for the length of its intended life span.

On 07 May Captain Leo J. Quilici, II turned command of USS ANTIETAM over to Captain Richard T. Rushton. This ceremony was performed at sea with all personnel attending in dress white uniform. Captain Rushton is a graduate of the University of Florida where he was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. Prior to reporting aboard ANTIETAM Captain Rushton served as the commanding officer of USS YORKTOWN (CG-48) and most recently as Chief for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Plans and Policy, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, VA. Captain Rushton is married and has two grown children.

The intensive work up schedule continued in May with ANTIETAM's participation in JTFX. This exercise challenged ANTIETAM and all of the ships in the CARL VINSON battle group with numerous scenarios and a round the clock final battle problem.

ANTIETAM deployed as part of the CARL VINSON battle group on 26 July. The first stop of the deployment was Lualualei, Hawaii, home of Pearl Harbor's Naval Magazine where ANTIETAM completed her ammunition onload with the addition of Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles.

Following the brief stop ANTIETAM proceeded across the Pacific to Singapore for its first liberty port. On the way ANTIETAM participated in a PASSEX with the Royal Singaporean Navy. Following the port visit to Singapore, ANTIETAM proceeded directly to Phuket, Thailand for another port visit.

ANTIETAM departed Phuket on 03 Sep and was transiting with the CARL VINSON battle group to the Arabian Gulf when the 11 Sep terrorist attacks on the United States took place. The battle group immediately took station in the North Arabian Sea, prepared for action. On 15 Sep ANTIETAM and USS O'KANE were detached to transit through the Strait of Hormuz to conduct Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the North Arabian Gulf, enforcing United Nations sanctions imposed on Iraq. MIO was a very intensive mission involving the combined efforts of every ANTIETAM crewmember. ANTIETAM's two Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) teams inspected over 125 vessels for contraband oil and other cargo entering or leaving Iraq. All hands were involved whether guarding, monitoring or escorting diverted vessels, making box lunches for the numerous personnel off the ship, operating small boats, or maintaining and flying the ship's two helicopters.
ANTIETAM was designated to provide air defense for the annual meeting of the World Trade Organization held in Quatar in November. During this time ANTIETAM operated in a Modified Location box with the PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group.

ANTIETAM was detached to proceed to Mumbai, India on 17 Nov. During the transit through the Strait of Hormuz ANTIETAM was turned around to assist with the Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts as a result of the loss of two crewmembers from USS PETERSON. ANTIETAM participated in the unsuccessful SAR operations for two days before once again transiting the Strait of Hormuz enroute Mumbai.

On 15 Dec ANTIETAM and O'KANE pulled into Mumbai, India. The port visit was a significant public relations event and received a great deal of positive media coverage in India. ANTIETAM was open for tours during the entire port visit and hosted a large press conference on the date of her arrival. ANTIETAM was also host to a party for Indian Naval representatives and other VIPs on the last night of the visit.

ANTIETAM departed India and proceeded to Singapore on 18 Dec. The crew celebrated Christmas inport Singapore before getting underway enroute Hawaii.

The year of 2001 for USS ANTIETAM was highlighted by WESTPAC 2001, the tragic events of 11 Sep, and the beginnings of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. All ANTIETAM crewmembers are proud of the fact that ANTIETAM was on station when needed by her nation, and that the ship and crew expertly executed a key role in the war on terrorism.

The year also brought about new and innovative methods of keeping crewmembers, family members, and loved ones continuously informed of ANTIETAM's actions. This was accomplished by enhancing ANTIETAM's monthly "Familygram", establishing on and off ship websites with ship's information, and through "Viper Alerts", regular emails direct from Captain Rusthon to loved ones and family members. These improvements were a huge success during the deployment and the uncertain days following 11 Sep, when many were desperate for news. Several of these "Viper Alerts" are attached and provide a first hand account of ANTIETAM's deployment actions.

In March 2003, Antietam was assigned to Carrier Group Three.

Antietam operated out of her home port of San Diego, California. From February to August 2005, Antietam completed a circumnavigation of Earth, leaving San Diego to the west and returning home by way of the east. During the deployment, she had an extended stay in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From January to August 2007, Antietam deployed to the Persian Gulf. During that seven-month deployment, she visited Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Pearl Harbor before returning to home port. In 2009, she completed a six-month deployment, leaving San Diego in January 2009, and returning home in July 2009. Stops along the way included Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Guam, and Hawaii.

In February 2013, Antietam relieved Cowpens in a "hull-swap" at Yokosuka, Japan, in which the two crews swapped ships. Cowpens, previously deployed to Yokosuka, was then homeported at Naval Base San Diego, California, while Antietam took up her new homeport at Yokosuka. On 31 January 2017, Antietam ran aground in Tokyo Bay near her home port of Yokosuka, Japan. Antietam was anchored off the coast in 30-knot (56 km/h; 35 mph) winds and a strong tide when the crew noticed the ship was dragging her anchor. They got the ship underway, but shortly after doing so, they felt the ship shudder as she lost all pitch control in both propellers. They had run aground on a shoal with damage to both propellers and one of the propeller hubs, causing 1,100 US gallons (4,200 L) of hydraulic oil to leak into the water. No personnel were injured during the incident. Repairs cost at least $4.2 million.

On 22 October 2018, she transited the Taiwan Strait along with the destroyer Curtis Wilbur. On 24-25 July 2019, she again transited the Taiwan Strait. On 19-20 September 2019 she transited the Taiwan Strait a third time. During at least one of these transits, a Chinese WZ-7 HALE drone as well as Shenyang J-11 strike fighters followed her and warned one of their helicopters that it was flying too close to the mainland.

In December 2020 the U.S. Navy's Report to Congress on the Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels stated that the ship was planned to be placed Out of Commission in Reserve in 2024.

In May 2022, Antietam was homeported at Yokosuka, Japan. She was part of Carrier Strike Group 5 led by the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. On 28 August 2022, Antietam along with sister ship Chancellorsville conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait. This was the first such transit to occur since the 2022 visit by Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

On 25 June 2023, Antietam, along with aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and cruiser Robert Smalls, paid a visit to Vietnam. They docked at Tien Sa port, Da Nang and stayed there until 30 June.
 
The Battle of Antietam
 
... a major battle in the American Civil War fought along Antietam Creek near the town of Sharpsburg in northwestern Maryland. It was the climax to the first of General Robert E. Lee's two major attempts to bring the war home to the North. Fought on 17 September 1862, it is renowned as the bloodiest single day in American military history. Though the battle ended in a tactical draw, it was a northern victory strategically because Lee was forced to withdraw, give up the offense, and resume a defensive posture in northern Virginia. 
 
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cg-54 uss antietam insignia crest patch badge ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser aegis us navy 02c

cg-54 uss antietam insignia crest patch badge ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser aegis us navy 03c

cg-54 uss antietam insignia crest patch badge ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser aegis us navy 02p
 
 
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