Leyte Gulf (CG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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LEYTE GULF HISTORY USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) is the ninth AEGIS class guided missile cruiser. The Aegis Combat System is a computerized, quick reaction air defense system which provides extraordinary capabilities against attacking aircraft and missiles. The heart of the AEGIS system is the SPY radar which automatically de- tects and tracks virtually every- thing that is flying out to beyond 200 miles. LEYTE GULF also has the most advanced underw ater sur- veillance system available today. The trio of antisubmarine warfare equipment consists of a hull mounted sonar, a towed array so- nar, and embarked Light Airborne Multi-purpose System (LAMPS MKIII) helicopters. LEYTE GULF projects power ashore with long range TOMAHAWK cruise mis- siles fired from the vertical launch- ing system (VLS) and engages air, surface, and shore targets with 5 54 caliber guns. The ship is built on a Spruance class destroyer hull design and is propelled by four gas turbine engines capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship ' s keel was laid 1 March 1985 at Ingall ' s Shipyard in Pasca- goula, Mississippi, and christened LEYTE GULF on 11 October 1986 by Mrs. Jane Hays, wife of then Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Command, Admiral Ronald J. Hays. One year later, 26 Septem- ber 1987, Admiral Hays placed USS LEYTE GULF into commissioned service during ceremonies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the next several months America ' s Battle Cruiser tested the entire combat system in the Caribbean, highlighted by several live missile and torpedo firings and final certification of the ship ' s combat system. In March of 1988, LEYTE GULF was chosen as the test platform for the Navy ' s latest version of the Standard surface-to-air missile, the SM2 Block Mi. The ship conducted numerous successful test firings in the Caribbean. LEYTE GULF com- peted the testing in July, conclu- sively proving the viability of the new missile. In August 1988, only eleven months after commissioning, LEYTE GULF took her firepower to sea in her first battlegroup exer- cise, TEAMWORK ' 88. The exer- cise was conducted in the North Atlantic and Norwegian Fjords and took LEYTE GULF north of the Arctic Circle. From January to June 1989, LEYTE GULF deployed to the Mediterranean to serve as Anti-Air Warfare Commander for Battle Force Sixth Fleet. This maiden de- ployment marked a number of other firsts. LEYTE GULF was the first ship equipped with the verti- cal launching system to deploy to the Med. She was also the first At- lantic Fleet AEGIS Cruiser to de- ploy with the towed array sonar and the LAMPS MKIII helicopter. From February to April 1990 the ship completed a Selected Restric- tive Availability which included several upgrades to the engineer- ing plant and combat system. In May, following an ammunition on- load in Charleston, LEYTE GULF served as flagship for RADM Nick Gee, COMCRUDESGRU EIGHT for a US German Navy missile ex- ercise in the Caribbean. America ' s Battle Cruiser was formally adopted by the Broward County Navy League during cere- monies in Fort Lauderdale on De- cember 1st, 1990. This adoption ceremony cemented the bond be- tween the ship and this group of strong navy supporters that began during the commissioning process. LEYTE GULF departed on de- ployment 28 December 1990 en-

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SHIP ' S COAT OF ARMS The diving wings with trailing flames represent the Kamikazes which first appeared in the Bat- tle of Leyte Gulf and which were the forerunners of the anti-ship missiles against which the AE- GIS system was designed. The crossed Big Guns represent the battleships which at the Battle of Leyte Gulf culminated centuries of naval tradition in the last battle at sea of great ships of the line. The red and white rays allude to the WW II Japanese Naval Ensign descending into the wavy blue bar of the sea as the Battle of Leyte Gulf destroyed the Japanese Navy as a coherent fighting force. The tropical location of the battle is symbolized by the palm wreath which is also symbolic of victory. The blue, white and gold colors on the shield are traditionally associated with the Navy and are symbolic of the sea and excellence. The anchors combined with the sword represent naval sea power, plus the sword crossing the taut anchor line alludes to the classic naval battle maneuver called crossing the ' T ' last used in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The upright position of the sword also refers to the vertical launching missile system in CG 55. The red wavy bar is in memory of the gallant men who went down in a blood red sea at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The three stars represent the three component Battles of Leyte Gulf — Surigao Straits, Samar, and Cape Engano. The motto Arrayed for Victory refers to the full array of sea power that fought the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It also alludes to the phased array radar in the AEGIS system and towed sonar system LEYTE GULF deploys against submarines.

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route to the Persian Gulf and participation in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Stornn. After connpleting the southern transit of the Suez Canal, LEYTE GULF and THEODORE ROOSEVELT sprinted ahead at top speed for several days arriving in the Persian Gulf January 19th. During the war, LEYTE GULF launched Tomahawk cruise missiles against Iraq and served as local Anti-Air Warfare Commander for a four aircraft carrier battle force. Following the UN cease fire with Iraq, LEYTE GULF moved from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea in March to participate in Maritime Interception Force operations. The ship boarded and inspected 19 vessels enroute from and to Aqaba, Jordan. LEYTE GULF returned home to Mayport, FL,28 June 1991. From February to May of 1992, LEYTE GULF con- ducted a dry-docked Selective Restricted Availability in Boston, MA during which hundreds of jobs were com- pleted by General Ship Corporation and Ships Interme- diate Maintenance Activity, Newport. To workup for deployment MED 1-93, LEYTE GULF participated in COMPTUEX and Tail Proficiency Training during July and August and finally conducted Fleet Exer- cises with the JOHN F. KENNEDY Battlegroup in Sep- tember. On 7 October 1992, LEYTE GULF deployed to the Mediterranean.