Princeton (CG 59) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 5 text:

USS PRINCETCDN CCG 5 9 D Honor ono' Glory CPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 2003 WESTPAC DEPLOYMENT

Page 4 text:

'w -3. I fifli All ' a I 1 izms Trop C .. ulu wifi

Page 6 text:

USS PRINCETON CCG 59l A Proud History CG 59 is the sixth in a proud series of U.S. Navy ships to honor the name PRINCETON. The Ticonderoga-class cruiser was commissioned in Pascagoula, Mississippi on February 11, 1989 and has completed seven deployments. VVhile providing air defense for coalition mine sweeping forces during Operation DESERT STORM, PRINCETON activated an underwater influence mine in the Northern Arabian Gulf on February 18, 1991. Despite severe damage to the warship and injury to several crewmembers, the valiant efforts of her crew minimized the battle damage and PRINCETON continued to execute her mission. Following 5 months in the shipyard, PRINCETON retumed to the fleet, winning consecutive Battle Efficiency Awards in 1992 and 1993, and again in 1995 and 1996. During Operation DESERT FOX, PRINCETON conducted cruise missile strikes into Iraq and was awarded the Navy Unit Citation. She received the Battle HE Award again in 1999. In 2001, PRINCETON reported on station in the North Arabian Sea just one day after the terrorist attacks of September 1 1 and participated in the opening days of Operation ENDURIN G FREEDOM as Air Defense Commander for the CARL VIN SON Battle Group and Task Force 50. She spent 1 1 1 consecutive days at sea and participated in cruise missile strikes into Afghanistan. She won the Battle Ev Award again in 2001. In 2003, PRINCETON once again 1 g answered her nation's call as Air Defense Commander for the NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group and Task Force 50 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. PRINCETON began preparing for WESTPAC 2003 immediately upon return from Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and reassignment to Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Five in January 2002. She welcomed aboard a new Commanding Officer, set forth on an accelerated Inter-deployment Training Cycle, and successfully installed and tested the Cooperative Engagement Capability CCECJ. Challenged with redeployment at the beginning of 2003 , PRINCETON prepared with two goals in mind-combat readiness and mission accomplishment. 1 SHIELD 55 USS PRINCET0N7S The thirteen red and white stripes around the edge are from the flag ofthe revolutiorg Coat of Arms and stand for the union ofthe colonies. Aprofile of George Washington is at the center, his I leadership was the essence ofthe victory at Princeton in 1777. The smaller shield, which y bears Washington's profile, represents the defense of our country, then and now. The N golden anchor symbolizes our nation's proud heritage as a seagoing power. ii CREST The upward thrust ofthe trident symbolizes the vertical launch system ofthe new USS PRINCETON, and the interlaced lightning bolts represent its quick striking ability. The three tines ofthe trident stand for the ship's multi-mission war fighting capabilities: anti-air, anti-submarine, and surfacefstrike warfare. The semi-octagonal background shape is a I W 1 f representation of the ship's SPY- l B radar arrays and emphasizes the revolutionary I capabilities ofthe AEGIS Combat System. The five stars represent the previous U.S. Navy ships which bore the name PRINCETON. MOTTO On November 15, 1781, George Washington wrote in a letter to Marquis de Lafayette: 'alt foQlows then as certain as night succeeds day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it everything honorable and gloriousf' It is Hom this quotation that the shi 's motto 'GHONOR AND GLORY is derived. Ar if fis- Q . ,X . .N 4 xv A .- re - - 'ff'