Mobile Bay (CG 53) - Naval Cruise Book

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USNA Color Guard parades the colors. Above and Below: Freedom ' s Flagship salutes America. Rear Adm. Michael P. Kalleres. Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group TWEL Vf ,• and Mr. Jerry St. Pe. President. Ingalls Shipbuilding Division and Senior Vice President of Litton Industries. The prin- cipal address was given by Rear Adm. Jeremiah A. Denton. Jr.. USN (Ret.), a true patriot and national hero in every sense of the word. Admiral Denton ' s stirring remarks were followed by his reading of the commissioning directive, at which time MO- BILE BA Y officially joined the active fleet. Shortly thereafter came the setting of the first watch and the subsequent manning of the ship by all hands, an event which we were happy to see and which brought many a tear of joy to the eyes of our loved ones. The program continued with the Command- ing Officer ' s remarks, which were followed by the words of Mrs. Jane Denton, the ship s Sponsor and honorary ship ' s mom. At the conclusion of her remarks. Mrs. Denton unveiled a large bronze cast- ing which commemorated the famous Civil War battle from which the ship draws her name. The Reverend Ralph E. Wiechmann concluded the cere- mony by offering the benediction. From there, it was on to the post commissioning receptions, one pierside and one at the Municipal Auditorium. Lat- er that evening, the crew continued to celebrate with a sumptuous banquet at the Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile.

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FEB 21, 1987 COMMISSIONING In a moving, thoroughly patriotic and upbeat ceremo- ny held at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile on Satur- day. February 21. CG 53 became an active warship of the line. Before a crowd of approximately 6.000 that had braved the rather dismal weather to be on hand. MOBILE BA Y was brought to life. Complete with all the pageantry that could be mustered, the MOB pulled this one off in fine style. On hand to add to the color and crispness was the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Band from New Orleans. Louisiana, which offered a splendid assortment of musi- cal selections throughout the day. They were assisted by the nationally-known Naval Air Training Command Choir, which was able to join us from Pensacola. Florida. As an added touch, the United States Naval Academy Color Guard joined forces with Civil War reenactors from the 21st Alabama Infantry Volunteers, and the ship ' s color and honor guards, to provide marching and display units at the ceremony. Four-oh is as low as we go! took on new meaning during the ensuing ceremony! Offering remarks on that day was a host of distinguished naval and civilian leaders including the Honorable Mel- vin R. Paisley. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Re- search. Engineering and Systems: Vice Adm. William Rowden. Commander. Naval Sea Systems Command: Vice Adm. Joseph Metcalf III. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare): Rear Adm. David Bennett. Deputy Commander Naval Surface Force. U.S. Atlantic Fleet: Six thousand proud Americans brave the February frost to see MOBILE BA Y come alive! Rear Adm. Denton reviews the MOB Honor Guard. Men of MOBILE BAY. man your ship!

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TOP LEFT: MOBILE BA Ys first watch march toward their post. TOP RIGHT: The drill team shows its stuff. CENTER LEFT: Vice Adm. Metcalf speaks to the crew and their guests on the importance of the MOBILE BAY in the Surface Navy. CENTER RIGHT: The Naval Air Training Command Choir serenades the crowd. BOTTOM RIGHT: SH2 King pedals his goods. ' .