Mississippi (CGN 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIP ' S The name USS MISSISSIPPI has been carried by four ships. The first USS MISSISSIPPI was a sidewheel steamer, which served as Commo- dore Perry ' s flagship on Perry ' s momentous voyage to Japan in 1853. This trip helped open Japan to Western trade. The first USS MISSISSIPPI also participated in the American Civil War. ihe second ship to earn. ' the name USS MISSISSIPPI was the battleship (BB-23) which was commissioned on February 1, 1908. USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-23) sailed with President Theodore Roosevelt ' s Great White Fleet. Upon its decommissioning on July 21, 1914, USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-23) was turned over to the Greek government. It saw service under the Greek flag tor an additional 17 vears. The third USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-41) was commissioned on December 18, 1917 at Newport New Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. USS MISSISSIPPI served during WW II first in the Atlantic and then the Pacific Theatres of Opera- tions. During the war the USS MISSISSIPPI earned eight battle theatres ot participation in numerous invasions. USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-41) also took part in the last battle in history to pit battleship against battleship. On the night of October 24, 1944, she helped destroy a powerful Japanese task force during the Battle of Suriago Strait. USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-41) was also in Tokyo Harbor for the signing of the Japanese surrender document. She was decommissioned on September 17, 1956.

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MISSISSIPPI, third ship of the four Virginia Class Nuclear Powered Guided Missile Cruisers, was commissioned on 5 August 1978 at Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia. Former President Jimmy — ' . Carter presided over - - - I-r-— - . — the ceremonies. ■ ' ' — ' ' Over the next three years, MISSISSIPPI performed tests and trials which every new ship goes through. During this time the ship also went through its first extended training period at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In August of 198 1 , USS MISSISSIPPI made her first deployment. MISSISSIPPI was escorting USS NIMITZ when F-14 fighters from that carrier shot down two Libyan fighter jets. MISSISSIPPI was also called upon during that deployment to patrol olf the shore of Egypt after President Anwar Sadat was assassinated. In 1982, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet awarded MISSISSIPPI the prestigious Battenberg Cup award for being the best all around ship in the Atlantic Fleet. MISSISSIPPI was the first nuclear powered ship to win this award. The same year MISSISSIPPI earned the Battle Efficiency award. In 1983,MISSISSIPPIreceivedCOMSD CTH FLEET Battle Force Top Hand award, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, her fourth consecutive excellent in the annual Operation Reactors Safeguards Examination, the Top Hammer Award for top performance in Atlantic Fleet exercise operations, the Old Crow Award for excellence and contributions in electronic warfare, and her second consecutive Battle Eff iciency award. During 1984, MISSISSIPPI spent most of her time preparing for a Mediterranean deployment which began on 1 1 October 1984 and lasted until 5 May 1985. In 1985, MISSISSIPPI earned her third consecutive Battle Efficiency award. This same year she also received a second Meritorious Unit Commendation for Operation SNAP LOCK. In 1986, MISSISSIPPI was awarded the Golden Anchor Award for Navy personnel retention. HISTORY In 1987, MISSISSIPPI received the Silver Star as the runner up for the Golden Anchor Award. In September 1987,MISSISSIPPI completed her first overhaul which included the latest improvements in - - her combat systems suite which greatly improved the ship ' s abilin- to fight and win war at sea. Following exercises in the Caribbean in 1988, MISSISSIPPI deployed to the Mediterranean from May to November 1989. During the deployment, MISSISSIPPI provided support to Battle Force Sixth Fleet off the coast of Lebanon, in response to the killing of Marine Corps Colonel Higgins by terrorists. While in route to Norfolk, Virginia, MISSISSIPPI provided on scene towing assistance to USS MONONGAHELA, after a fire in the engine room damaged her propulsion plant. In December, MISSISSIPPI received her fourth Battle Efficiency Award. During 1990, MISSISSIPPI completed three Law Enforcement operations in the Caribbean and in August of 1990 deployed as flagship for Commander, Multinational Maritime Interception Force (MIF) during Operations Desert Shield Storm. She completed the seven-month deployment on 31 March 1991, thus setting the record for the ship with the longest operating tempo in any given period. MISSISSIPPI provided Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) escort services for NITRO through the straits of Bab-El- Mandeb to the Gulf of Aden. Upon completing her escort duties, MISSISSIPPI returned to the Red Sea to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles at designated strategic and military targets deep inside the country of Iraq. From May 1991 until August 1992, MISSISSIPPI underwent a comprehensive extended availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia. During this period MISSISSIPPI received the state of the art New Threat Upgrade combat systems suite which tremendously enhances MISSISSIPPI ' S ability to perform myriad Anti-Air Warfare functions. MISSISSIPPI also received Tomahawk and Harpoon system improvement which increased her Strike and Anti-Surface Warfare capability.