Leyte Gulf (CG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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I 1 LEYTE GULF HISTORY USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) is the ninth Ticonderoga class AEGIS cruiser. The ship ' s keel was laid 1 March 1985 at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, 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, Admiral Hays placed USS LEYTE GULF into commissioned service during ceremonies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. LEYTE GULF was on station in the Arabian Gulf in early 1991 in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 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. October 1992 saw LEYTE GULF return to the Mediterranean Sea following a three month Dry Dock Selected Restricted Ava ilability in Boston, Massachusetts providing support for Operation Pro- vide Comfort in the Adriatic Sea joining other multinational forces in response to the suffering in the former Yugoslavia. In July 1993, LEYTE GULF proceeded to the Caribbean Sea in order to continue the war on drugs dealing a severe blow to traffickers by coordinating an effort that prevented over 100 million tons of co- caine from reaching the United States. Following a Selected Restricted Availability which was completed early and under budget, LEYTE GULF conducted a successful launch of the new BLOCK III Tomahawk missile in the Gulf of Mexico sending the missile 500 miles downrange to meet 27 action points and arrive on target and on time. In July 1994, LEYTE GULF deployed to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior. LEYTE GULF deployed as an independent deployer pro- viding Ready Strike capabi lities to United States Naval Forces Central Command but seamlessly inte- grated herself sequentially with two different Carrier Battle Groups performing duties as Anti-Air Warfare Commander and Strike Coordinator for the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON and USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER. LEYTE GULF also performed brilliantly in her Maritime Intercep- tion role acting as Commander Task Group 152.1 in charge of Maritime Interception in the Red Sea and Maritime Interception Coordinator in the Arabian Gulf. While in the Red Sea, LEYTE GULF conducted numerous boardings in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq assuming Command and Coordinator of all operations and was involved in the historic joint boarding bringing an end to the at-sea effort in the Red Sea as the Operation moved ashore to Aqaba, Jordan. LEYTE GULF then transitted to the Gulf of Aqaba in order to conduct op- eration Infinite Shadow, a highly successful joint exercise with the Royal Jordanian Navy. The cruiser, operated with two Jordanian Patrol Craft in a multifaceted tactical exercise and later hosted the Commander of the Royal Jordanian Navy, Colonel Hussien Al-Khasawneh, Her Royal Highness, Princess Basma Bent Nayef of Jordan, and several regional and local officials in several receptions held onboard. ryyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyy- -yy 4 HISTORY

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WHO ARE WE? WE ARE LEYTE GULF, AMERICA ' S BATTLE CRUISER ' BATTLE E ' WINNER AND SURFACE FORCE BATTENBURG CUP SELECTION. WE BELIEVE IN PROFESSIONALISM, MUTUAL RESPECT, AND AN AGGRESSIVE SPIRIT THAT SAYS WE WILL DO THE JOB RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AND EVERY TIME. WE KNOW WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE ABOUT. WE HAVE A PRIDE IN OURSELVES AND OUR SHIP THAT MAKES US STAND OUT. WE ARE SURFACE WARRIORS WHO BELIEVE IN OURSELVES, OUR SHIP AND OUR NAVY. WE STRIVE EVERYDAY TO BE ONLY THE BEST. WE STAND READY TO MEET ANY CHALLENGE AND WE ARE WILLING TO TAKE ON ANY TEST. NO MATTER WHERE. NO MATTER WHEN. WE ARE LEYTE GULF! LEYTE GL LP

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. I ' pon overseeing the successful transition, LEYTE GULF closed out its responsibilities as Com- J niandcr Task Force 152.1 (United Nations Interception and Surface Action Group Commander) and J; was directed to the Northern Arabian Gulf, in order to assume Anti-Air Warfare and Strike Com- mander responsibilities for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command as 80,000 Iraqi troops moved towards the Kuwaiti border in an act of aggression. The cruiser made a high speed transit and traversed the 3100 mile journey within 5 days arriving on station 15 miles off the Iraqi coast to become the first Strike platform on the scene providing a visible deterrent to possible aggression by the Iraqi re- gime of Saddam Hussein. LEYTE GULF ' s offensive and defensive roles solidified the strong Naval presence in the Northern Arabian Gulf. While on station, LEYTE GULF was visited by several distinguished officials including the Secre- tary of Defense, the Honorable William H. Perry, the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, Senator John Warner (R-VA). the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jeremy M. Boorda, Commander, United States Naval Forces Central Command, Vice Admiral John Scott Redd, and Commander, Eisen- hower Battle Group, Rear Admiral Daniel Murphy. When addressing the ship ' s company, Secretary Perry thanked the crew for the outstanding job they have done as the tip of democracy ' s spear and emphasized that the mere presence of the U.S. mili- tary and our firm resolve to use it is a strong deterrent to any possible Iraqi aggression and was solely responsible for preventing another war in the region. Vice Admiral Redd addressed the crew stating that the ship ' s tremendous capabilities in all warfare areas and aggressive operating style changed the equation in the Arabian Gulf and made the cruiser the centerpiece of our Naval presence in the Middle East. Following Iraq ' s withdrawal from the Kuwaiti border, LEYTE GULF turned her attention towards Maritime Interception Operations. With orders from Vice Admiral Redd to close the spigot, on mer- chant traffic illegally transporting contraband oil from Iraq, LEYTE GULF aggressively patrolled the area, querying all merchant traffic and boarding vessels as directed. Within two months, this proactive posture had accounted for over fifty boardings and the capture and diversion of five vessels accounting for 90 ' 7r of the diversions since the inception o( the Operation in 1 990. LEYTE GULF ' s efforts in Maritime Interception resulted in the capture of over 25,000 tons of con- traband Iraqi oil and in an unprecedented feat the cruiser successfully boarded and diverted three Mo- tor Vessels transporting contraband oil in the same day. This achievement not only impacted the Iraqi smuggling effort but also served notice that every ves.sel underway in the Northern Arabian Gulf would be tracked and investigated by America ' s Battle Cruiser. Rear Admiral Dan Murphy, COMIKE- j , BATGRU commented on LEYTE GULF ' s performance by stating. You on Leyte GULF have ffj proven to be able to do it all. Your aggressive can do attitude and remarkable flexibility have simpK dominated the Battle Space of the Northern Arabian Gulf, Bravo Zulu. y yyy 77r y y y ' ' i HISTOR ' 5