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USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55)

USS LEYTE GULF was one of the 27 TICONDEROGA-class guided missile cruisers and the first U.S. Navy ship named for the Battle of Leyte Gulf during World War II. Her name commemorated the series of naval engagements fought around the Philippine islands of Leyte and Samar from October 23 to 26, 1944, which included the battles of the Sibuyan Sea, Surigao Strait, Cape Engano and Samar. On September 20, 2024, LEYTE GULF held a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base Norfolk, Va. She is presently laid up at Philadelphia, Penn., awaiting final disposal.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS LEYTE GULF. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

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• Click here to see which USS LEYTE GULF memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS LEYTE GULF Cruise Books:

• SNMG-2 Cruise Book 2014

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The diving wings with trailing flames represent the Kamikazes, which first appeared in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and which were the forerunners of the anti-ship missiles against which the AEGIS 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 WWII 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.

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USS LEYTE GULF History:

Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding at Pascagoula, Mississippi, USS LEYTE GULF was laid down on March 18, 1985, and launched on June 20, 1986. She was commissioned on September 26, 1987, at Port Everglades, Florida. Following commissioning, she joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and was assigned to Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

During the final months of 1987 and throughout much of 1988, LEYTE GULF conducted shakedown operations, combat systems evaluations and training in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. These activities included the testing and certification of her Aegis combat system, missile launchers, engineering plant and aviation facilities. The cruiser subsequently participated in exercises with other Atlantic Fleet units in preparation for her first overseas deployment.

On December 30, 1988, LEYTE GULF began her maiden deployment to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) Battle Group. Operating under the U.S. Sixth Fleet, she provided air-defense and surveillance capabilities for the carrier formation during multinational exercises and routine presence operations. The deployment took place during the final years of the Cold War, when the U.S. Navy maintained a substantial naval presence in the Mediterranean to support NATO commitments and monitor Soviet naval activities.

During the deployment, LEYTE GULF participated in exercises that included Dragon Hammer, Juniper Stallion, Sardinia '89 and National Week 89B. These operations involved coordinated air defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and carrier flight operations with American and allied forces. The battle group's itinerary included visits to Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Marseille and Toulon, France; Alexandria, Egypt; Antalya, Turkey; Naples and Augusta Bay, Italy; Tangier, Morocco; Monaco; and Haifa, Israel. LEYTE GULF returned to Mayport in late June 1989, completing her first Mediterranean deployment.

Following her return, the cruiser entered a period of post-deployment maintenance and inspections before resuming local operations and fleet exercises in the western Atlantic. During 1990, she conducted additional training and preparations for another overseas deployment as tensions increased in the Middle East following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. The United States and coalition partners subsequently deployed substantial military forces to Saudi Arabia and surrounding waters under Operation Desert Shield.

On December 28, 1990, LEYTE GULF departed Mayport with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group for operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and Persian Gulf. After transiting the Atlantic and Mediterranean, the formation proceeded through the Suez Canal toward the Middle East. LEYTE GULF joined American and allied naval forces supporting Operation Desert Shield, which was intended to prevent further Iraqi advances and prepare for the possible liberation of Kuwait.

Following the beginning of Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991, LEYTE GULF participated in coalition naval operations against Iraq. The cruiser launched Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles against designated Iraqi military targets and provided air-defense coordination for American naval forces. During the campaign, she served as a local Anti-Air Warfare Commander within a naval force that included four aircraft carriers. Her Aegis combat system contributed to the surveillance and coordination of aircraft operations during a period of extensive coalition air activity over Iraq and Kuwait.

The naval campaign was conducted in conjunction with the multinational air and ground offensive that resulted in the liberation of Kuwait. After the cease-fire on February 28, 1991, LEYTE GULF continued operating in the region as coalition forces reorganized their deployments and began enforcing postwar security arrangements. The battle group subsequently returned through the Mediterranean, with port visits during the homeward voyage that included Haifa, Israel, and Rhodes, Greece. LEYTE GULF returned to Mayport in June 1991.

During the remainder of 1991 and the first months of 1992, LEYTE GULF underwent maintenance, inspections and training in preparation for another Mediterranean deployment. Her activities included combat systems evaluations, missile training, anti-submarine warfare exercises and coordinated operations with other Atlantic Fleet ships. The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War were accompanied by a shift in American naval operations toward regional crises, maritime security and multinational missions.

In October 1992, LEYTE GULF departed Mayport with the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) Battle Group for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. During the deployment, the cruiser operated in waters affected by the conflicts accompanying the breakup of Yugoslavia. International naval forces were employed to monitor and enforce United Nations sanctions, support humanitarian activities and maintain maritime security in the Adriatic Sea.

LEYTE GULF participated in operations associated with the multinational response to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, including surveillance and naval support activities in the Adriatic. These missions were conducted alongside allied warships and formed part of the developing international maritime response to the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The deployment also included routine Sixth Fleet exercises and port visits in the Mediterranean. LEYTE GULF returned to Mayport in the spring of 1993.

On June 1, 1993, LEYTE GULF conducted a three-hour exercise with the Russian Navy destroyer BEZUDERZHNY approximately 80 miles southeast of New York City. The exercise was associated with Fleet Week New York and reflected the expansion of professional naval contacts between the United States and Russia following the end of the Cold War. The two ships practiced formation maneuvering, communications using radio, signal flags and flashing lights, and procedures for assisting vessels in distress. The event was one of several exchanges intended to improve familiarity and communication between the two navies.

During the summer of 1993, LEYTE GULF conducted a counter-narcotics deployment in the Caribbean Sea. Operating in coordination with U.S. Coast Guard and other law-enforcement authorities, the cruiser used her surveillance capabilities to identify and track vessels suspected of transporting illegal drugs toward the United States. These activities formed part of a broader American effort to intercept narcotics shipments in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. LEYTE GULF subsequently returned to Mayport and resumed maintenance and training.

Following a Selected Restricted Availability, LEYTE GULF conducted testing of the Block III Tomahawk land-attack missile in the Gulf of Mexico. During the test, a missile traveled more than 600 miles along a predetermined route, successfully completing its programmed navigation points and reaching the designated target area. The firing contributed to the operational evaluation of improvements to the Tomahawk weapon system.

In 1994, LEYTE GULF deployed to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf region to support Operation Southern Watch and maritime interception operations enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq. Her responsibilities included air defense, surveillance, maritime security and the protection of American and allied naval forces. The cruiser served as a Tomahawk strike-capable platform and participated in operations intended to prevent prohibited Iraqi oil exports and other violations of the sanctions regime.

During the deployment, LEYTE GULF served as Maritime Interception Operations Coordinator in the northern Persian Gulf. Working with American and allied ships, she coordinated more than fifty boarding and inspection operations. Five vessels were detained or diverted during these activities, involving approximately 25,000 tons of Iraqi oil being transported in violation of international sanctions. The operations required sustained maritime surveillance and close coordination among ships, boarding teams and supporting aircraft.

In early October 1994, a new crisis developed when Iraqi military formations moved toward the Kuwaiti border. The United States responded by rapidly reinforcing its forces in the region under Operation Vigilant Warrior. LEYTE GULF made a high-speed transit of approximately 3,200 nautical miles in six days to reinforce the American naval presence. By October 8, she had reached the Red Sea and subsequently continued operations associated with the crisis.

The cruiser was among the first major American surface combatants redirected toward the threatened region. Additional forces included the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) Battle Group. LEYTE GULF's long-range missile capability and air-defense systems formed part of the military forces available to respond if Iraqi troops crossed into Kuwait. The immediate crisis subsided after Iraq began withdrawing its forces from the border area. LEYTE GULF subsequently resumed operations associated with Southern Watch and maritime sanctions enforcement before returning to the United States.

During 1995, LEYTE GULF underwent maintenance, inspections and operational training from Mayport. These activities included preparations for further carrier battle group operations, weapons qualifications and exercises in the western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. The ship's readiness cycle continued into 1996 as the Atlantic Fleet prepared for additional Mediterranean and Middle East deployments.

On October 14, 1996, LEYTE GULF was involved in a collision with the aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT during training approximately 100 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The accident occurred while the ships were maneuvering in close proximity. When the carrier reversed its engines, LEYTE GULF struck the carrier's stern, causing significant damage to the cruiser's bow and the carrier's aft structure. No personnel were injured.

Both ships subsequently underwent damage assessments and repairs. Investigations examined the actions and communications of personnel involved in the maneuvering evolution. The accident resulted in administrative and disciplinary action against officers associated with the incident. LEYTE GULF completed the necessary repairs and returned to operational duties.

On November 25, 1996, LEYTE GULF departed Mayport for another Mediterranean and Persian Gulf deployment with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group. Other participating ships included USS VELLA GULF (CG 72) and USS RAMAGE (DDG 61). During the deployment, the group supported operations associated with the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords in the former Yugoslavia and continued enforcement of restrictions on Iraqi military aviation under Operation Southern Watch.

In the Mediterranean, LEYTE GULF performed air-defense and surveillance duties during operations associated with NATO's Stabilization Force mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ship also participated in multinational exercises and conducted operations with American and allied naval forces. The deployment subsequently included operations in the Persian Gulf, where the battle group maintained a carrier presence and supported Southern Watch.

After completing the deployment, LEYTE GULF returned to Mayport in May 1997. On July 30, 1997, she officially shifted her homeport from Naval Station Mayport to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. The relocation formed part of an Atlantic Fleet realignment intended to improve maintenance, training and administrative support by concentrating ships assigned to the same carrier battle group organizations. Following her arrival at Norfolk, LEYTE GULF entered a maintenance period before resuming operational training.

During 1998, the cruiser conducted readiness exercises, weapons training and inspections in preparation for her next overseas deployment. Her operations included coordinated training with aircraft carriers and other Atlantic Fleet units in the western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. These activities prepared the ship for air-defense and strike warfare responsibilities during future carrier operations.

On March 26, 1999, LEYTE GULF departed Norfolk for a Mediterranean and Persian Gulf deployment with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group. The deployment began during the developing NATO military campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in response to the Kosovo conflict. The battle group was originally expected to proceed toward the Persian Gulf but was redirected to support NATO operations in the Mediterranean. LEYTE GULF transited the Strait of Gibraltar on April 2, 1999, and entered the Adriatic Sea on April 6. The following day, she assumed duties as Commander Task Force 60 Air Defense Commander and REDCROWN, coordinating the maritime air-defense picture and supporting the management of aircraft operating in the region. The cruiser also participated in Exercise Caesar Sword 99-07 as American naval forces prepared for continued operations associated with NATO's air campaign.

On April 9, 1999, LEYTE GULF launched Tomahawk land-attack missiles against designated targets during Operation Allied Force, known in the U.S. naval command structure as Operation Noble Anvil. Her missile strikes formed part of the wider NATO campaign against Yugoslav military and related infrastructure targets. The cruiser continued air-defense and surveillance operations while carrier aircraft conducted combat sorties over the Balkans.

From April 20 to 24, 1999, LEYTE GULF visited Bari, Italy. On April 24, the cruiser conducted another Tomahawk strike in support of the NATO campaign. On May 18, she assumed additional Adriatic air-defense coordination responsibilities. The ship subsequently visited Genoa, Italy, from May 21 to 25. On May 31, LEYTE GULF conducted a further Tomahawk strike, firing her final missiles of the campaign. Following the conclusion of NATO's air operations against Yugoslavia in June 1999, LEYTE GULF continued her Mediterranean deployment. She visited Villefranche, France, from June 11 to 15 and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from June 29 to July 5. After completing her Adriatic assignments, the cruiser proceeded toward the Middle East to support continuing Fifth Fleet operations.

LEYTE GULF arrived at Port Said, Egypt, on July 8, 1999, and transited the Suez Canal and Red Sea between July 9 and 11. On July 13, she passed through the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf, completing a Fifth Fleet Tomahawk exercise during the transit. On July 14, the cruiser assumed duties as Commander Task Force 50 Air Defense Commander and REDCROWN, supporting carrier operations and regional air surveillance.

From July 22 to 28, 1999, LEYTE GULF visited Bahrain before resuming Persian Gulf operations. The cruiser continued supporting Operation Southern Watch and maritime security missions through August. She departed the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on August 27 and transited the Suez Canal on September 3. During the return voyage, LEYTE GULF visited Valletta, Malta, from September 5 to 8 and conducted a weapons transfer at Augusta Bay, Sicily, on September 10. She passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on September 14 and returned to Norfolk on September 22, completing a deployment that had included combat operations in both the Adriatic and Persian Gulf regions.

Following her return, LEYTE GULF entered a post-deployment standdown and maintenance period before resuming Atlantic Fleet training. During 2000, the cruiser conducted engineering inspections, combat systems evaluations, missile training and exercises off the U.S. East Coast. Her activities also included preparations for another overseas deployment and the continued development of carrier battle group air-defense procedures.

On January 18, 2001, LEYTE GULF made brief contact with the seabed while conducting electronic calibration trials near the Chesapeake Light off Virginia Beach, Virginia. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Navy buoy B and resulted in a scrape approximately six feet by eight feet on the ship's sonar dome. There was no significant damage, and the cruiser subsequently continued her operational preparations.

During the following months, LEYTE GULF participated in training and readiness evaluations with Atlantic Fleet units. On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks struck New York City and Washington, D.C., prompting a rapid military response. LEYTE GULF, operating with elements of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Battle Group, supported naval operations off the American East Coast associated with national defense and assistance following the attacks.

On September 19, 2001, LEYTE GULF departed Norfolk with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Battle Group for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East. The formation transited the Atlantic and Mediterranean before proceeding through the Suez Canal on October 13. By October 15, the battle group had arrived in the Arabian Sea to support Operation Enduring Freedom, the American-led military campaign against al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan.

During the deployment, LEYTE GULF provided air-defense and maritime surveillance support for carrier flight operations, while aircraft from USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT conducted missions over Afghanistan. The cruiser also supported maritime security operations and the protection of shipping routes in the Arabian Sea and surrounding waters. The deployment involved an extended period of operations at sea, reflecting the increased operational demands placed on U.S. naval forces after September 2001.

LEYTE GULF remained with the carrier battle group during the opening months of 2002. Following completion of the deployment, the formation returned through the Suez Canal and Mediterranean Sea. LEYTE GULF arrived at Norfolk in April 2002 and subsequently entered a post-deployment maintenance period. During the remainder of the year, she conducted inspections, training and local operations in preparation for further fleet assignments.

During 2003, LEYTE GULF continued operating with Atlantic Fleet forces and participated in exercises and port visits in European waters. On June 30, the cruiser arrived at Cobh, Ireland, for a scheduled port visit together with USS BULKELEY (DDG 84). The visit formed part of continued American naval engagement in the North Atlantic and European region. LEYTE GULF subsequently resumed exercises and maritime security activities before returning to Norfolk for maintenance and deployment preparations.

In February 2004, LEYTE GULF deployed with the USS WASP (LHD 1) Expeditionary Strike Group for operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. The group also included USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12), USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41), USS YORKTOWN (CG 48), USS McFAUL (DDG 74) and USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22). The formation departed the East Coast on February 17, marking one of the early deployments of an East Coast expeditionary strike group organized to provide integrated amphibious, surface warfare and undersea warfare capabilities.

During the deployment, LEYTE GULF supported operations associated with Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, performing air-defense, maritime interception and security duties. The cruiser operated in the Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and Persian Gulf, including patrols near the Strait of Hormuz. Her responsibilities included surveillance of shipping routes and coordination of maritime security operations involving American and coalition ships.

In the northern Persian Gulf, LEYTE GULF participated in the protection of Iraq's offshore oil infrastructure, including the Al Basra and Khawr al-Amaya oil terminals. These facilities were considered important to Iraq's postwar economy and were vulnerable to attack. The cruiser supported maritime security operations intended to prevent unauthorized vessels from approaching the terminals and to identify potential threats.

During these operations, LEYTE GULF conducted approximately 150 inspections and interrogations of small craft operating in the northern Persian Gulf. The ship also provided logistical assistance, including fuel and food, to smaller naval units assigned to maritime security duties. In the Gulf of Aden, boarding and inspection operations resulted in the seizure of approximately 400 pounds of smuggled goods.

Port visits during the deployment included Split, Croatia; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; Bahrain; Muscat, Oman; Civitavecchia, Italy; and Rota, Spain. These stops supported logistics, maintenance and cooperation with regional partners. After completing her Fifth and Sixth Fleet assignments, LEYTE GULF returned to Norfolk on August 13, 2004.

Following the deployment, LEYTE GULF entered a Selected Restricted Availability at Marine Hydraulics Industries in Norfolk on October 3, 2004. The maintenance period included repairs and inspections of machinery, hull systems and combat equipment and continued until December 2. On December 12, the cruiser experienced flooding in several ammunition magazines following the failure of a pneumatic valve. The incident required corrective action and inspections of the affected spaces and associated piping systems.

During 2005, LEYTE GULF remained based at Norfolk and conducted training, maintenance and operational certifications in preparation for another deployment. The ship participated in exercises involving integrated air defense, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and maritime security. Additional activities included engineering assessments, weapons qualifications and readiness evaluations with other Atlantic Fleet ships.

In May 2006, LEYTE GULF departed Norfolk for another deployment to the Middle East. Operating in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility, the cruiser supported maritime security operations associated with the continuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her responsibilities included air-defense coordination, surveillance, maritime interception and escort duties for carrier and amphibious formations. The deployment took place during a period of continuing American and coalition efforts to protect regional shipping routes, enforce maritime security measures and support military operations ashore.

After returning to Norfolk, LEYTE GULF entered a period of maintenance and modernization intended to restore equipment and prepare the ship for subsequent operations. The work included repairs and improvements to shipboard systems, engineering equipment and combat systems.

On September 15, 2007, an industrial accident occurred aboard LEYTE GULF while the cruiser was undergoing maintenance at the BAE Systems shipyard in Norfolk. An explosion and fire developed in a shipboard compartment during maintenance work, injuring five civilian shipyard employees. Investigators determined that the incident involved the accumulation and ignition of flammable solvent vapors. The injured workers received medical treatment, and the accident resulted in an examination of industrial safety procedures. Maintenance and repair work subsequently continued.

During 2008, LEYTE GULF resumed fleet activities following her maintenance period. In May, she participated in Fleet Week New York, where visiting American naval vessels were opened to the public and took part in ceremonial and community events. The cruiser subsequently conducted further Atlantic Fleet training and prepared for a deployment involving maritime security cooperation with African nations.

In October 2008, LEYTE GULF departed Norfolk for a deployment to the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility in support of Africa Partnership Station. The initiative involved American naval forces working with African partner nations to improve maritime security capabilities, professional training and cooperation in coastal waters. LEYTE GULF participated in naval engagement activities and supported maritime security training intended to strengthen the ability of regional navies and maritime authorities to monitor and protect their waters. The seven-month deployment included operations in European and African waters, maritime security activities and engagements with regional partners. LEYTE GULF returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 11, 2009. During the following months, the cruiser underwent post-deployment maintenance, inspections and training in preparation for further operational commitments.

Throughout 2010, LEYTE GULF remained based at Norfolk, conducting maintenance, readiness evaluations and training in Atlantic operating areas. The activities included preparations for deployment with the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) Carrier Strike Group, whose ships were scheduled to support American naval operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East. On January 13, 2011, LEYTE GULF departed Norfolk with the USS ENTERPRISE Carrier Strike Group for a deployment to the U.S. Sixth and Fifth Fleet areas of responsibility. The formation included USS BARRY (DDG 52), USS BULKELEY and USS MASON (DDG 87). Following the Atlantic crossing, the group conducted operations in the Mediterranean before transiting the Suez Canal in February and proceeding toward the Arabian Sea.

During February 2011, LEYTE GULF participated in maritime security and counter-piracy operations in waters off Somalia and Oman. Piracy in the western Indian Ocean had become a major concern for international shipping, leading to the deployment of multinational naval forces to protect commercial vessels and respond to attacks. LEYTE GULF's embarked helicopter and surveillance systems supported the detection and monitoring of suspicious vessels.

On February 22, 2011, LEYTE GULF was involved in the American naval response to the hijacking of the sailing vessel QUEST by Somali pirates. The privately owned yacht, carrying four American citizens, had been captured while sailing in the Indian Ocean. The U.S. Navy response force consisted of USS ENTERPRISE, LEYTE GULF, USS STERETT (DDG 104) and USS BULKELEY.

After several days of monitoring the hijacked vessel and attempting to negotiate the release of the hostages, American naval forces responded to gunfire aboard QUEST. When a boarding team reached the yacht, the four hostages had been shot by their captors. Despite attempts to provide medical assistance, all four died. Four pirates were killed during the incident, while fifteen others were taken into custody. The operation became one of the most widely reported piracy-related incidents involving American naval forces during the deployment.

On March 24, 2011, LEYTE GULF and USS ENTERPRISE responded to a distress call from the Philippine-flagged merchant vessel FALCAN TRADER II in the Arabian Sea. The vessel reported that suspected pirates had boarded the ship, while its twenty Filipino crew members secured themselves in a protected compartment known as a citadel. Helicopters from USS ENTERPRISE and LEYTE GULF were dispatched to investigate the situation. An SH-60F helicopter from the carrier fired warning shots to deter the pirates, while the ships coordinated the response. The pirates abandoned their attempt, and all twenty merchant sailors remained unharmed.

During the same deployment, LEYTE GULF supported operations involving the USS ENTERPRISE Carrier Strike Group in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. The carrier's aircraft conducted missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and over Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. LEYTE GULF provided air-defense and maritime security capabilities while also contributing to counter-piracy activities in the region. The strike group's operations resulted in the capture and detention of numerous suspected pirates during several separate incidents.

In late June 2011, LEYTE GULF returned through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea. The deployment had coincided with the international intervention in Libya, although the cruiser's principal documented operational assignments during the initial phase of that intervention were in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. Following the Atlantic crossing, LEYTE GULF returned to Norfolk on July 15, 2011, completing a six-month deployment.

Following her return, LEYTE GULF entered a period of maintenance and modernization. During 2012 and part of 2013, the cruiser underwent an extended Selected Restricted Availability that included structural repairs, machinery work and modifications to combat systems. The maintenance program formed part of continuing efforts to sustain the operational capabilities of the aging TICONDEROGA-class cruisers.

During the latter part of 2013, LEYTE GULF returned to operational training and completed readiness assessments in preparation for further fleet assignments. Exercises focused on air defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface operations and cooperation with allied naval forces. These preparations continued into early 2014 as the cruiser was selected for an extended NATO assignment.

During the spring of 2014, LEYTE GULF participated in training and exercises associated with North Atlantic and European maritime operations, including activities connected with Exercise Joint Warrior near Scotland. She subsequently completed preparations for a deployment during which she would serve as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, one of NATO's permanent multinational naval formations.

On June 25, 2014, LEYTE GULF departed Naval Station Norfolk for a Mediterranean deployment. Following the Atlantic crossing, she arrived at Malaga, Spain, where a change-of-command ceremony took place on July 8. Rear Admiral Brad Williamson of the U.S. Navy assumed command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, with LEYTE GULF serving as his flagship. The NATO formation included ships from several allied countries, among them the German frigate FGS NIEDERSACHSEN (F 208), the Turkish frigate TCG KEMALREIS (F 247) and Canadian naval units, including HMCS TORONTO (FFH 333). During the deployment, LEYTE GULF operated with these and other allied ships in the Mediterranean, participating in maritime security patrols, air-defense training, surface warfare exercises and coordinated naval operations.

A principal assignment was Operation Active Endeavour, NATO's maritime security operation intended to deter and detect terrorist activity in the Mediterranean Sea. The mission involved surveillance of commercial shipping, maritime situational awareness, communications with merchant vessels and coordinated operations among allied naval forces. LEYTE GULF also participated in exercises with Spanish and Turkish naval units and other multinational formations.

During the deployment, the cruiser supported several major training events, including Canadian Task Group exercises, U.S. Fleet Exercises and amphibious ready group training. Her operational activities involved repeated transits of the Strait of Gibraltar and extensive movements between the western and eastern Mediterranean. The ship's itinerary included port visits and logistics stops in Spain, Italy and Greece, including Souda Bay, Crete, where LEYTE GULF was photographed at the NATO pier facility in December.

Over the course of the deployment, LEYTE GULF traveled approximately 35,000 miles. In December 2014, USS VICKSBURG (CG 69) relieved LEYTE GULF as flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, allowing the cruiser to begin her return voyage earlier than originally scheduled. LEYTE GULF returned to Naval Station Norfolk on January 7, 2015, completing a six-month deployment with NATO forces.

During the remainder of 2015, LEYTE GULF conducted post-deployment maintenance, inspections and training from Norfolk. The cruiser subsequently entered another operational readiness cycle involving engineering evaluations, weapons qualifications and combat systems training. These activities continued through 2016 as the ship prepared for an independent deployment to European and Middle Eastern waters.

On March 27, 2017, LEYTE GULF departed Norfolk for a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. Sixth and Fifth Fleet areas of responsibility. The cruiser embarked two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 60, Detachment Two, and was assigned to conduct maritime security operations, naval exercises and engagement activities with allied and partner nations. The deployment initially took LEYTE GULF into the North Atlantic and European waters during a period of increased NATO maritime activity following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and continuing tensions in Eastern Europe. On April 9, 2017, LEYTE GULF arrived at Wilhelmshaven, Germany, for a scheduled port visit. The visit formed part of American naval activities under the broader framework of Operation Atlantic Resolve and included professional exchanges and engagement with German naval personnel.

After departing Wilhelmshaven, LEYTE GULF proceeded into Norwegian waters. On April 20, 2017, she arrived at Haakonsvern Naval Base near Bergen, Norway, for a scheduled port visit. The cruiser subsequently participated in operations in the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic, including training with allied naval forces. On May 3, LEYTE GULF arrived at Tromso, Norway, during a further port visit associated with naval cooperation between the United States and Norway.

During operations in the Norwegian Sea, LEYTE GULF crossed the Arctic Circle and spent more than thirty days operating in northern waters. These activities included anti-submarine warfare exercises and maritime security training with NATO partners. During Exercise EASTLANT 17, the cruiser conducted an underway replenishment with the German fleet replenishment ship FGS BONN (A 1413). The exercise involved cooperation with German and Norwegian forces and emphasized anti-submarine warfare and sustained operations in the North Atlantic.

LEYTE GULF subsequently demonstrated additional replenishment capabilities with British naval support forces, receiving fuel and aviation fuel while operating in northern waters. These activities allowed the ship to maintain extended operations without returning to port and provided opportunities to practice multinational logistics procedures under demanding environmental conditions. During the remainder of the deployment, LEYTE GULF continued maritime security and theater cooperation activities in the European and Mediterranean regions, including operations associated with the U.S. Sixth Fleet. She returned to Naval Station Norfolk on October 6, 2017, completing a deployment of more than six months.

Following her return, LEYTE GULF entered a Chief of Naval Operations Selected Restricted Availability at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. The maintenance period continued through the winter of 2017-2018 and included repairs and preservation work involving tanks, hull structures, machinery, auxiliary equipment and combat systems. On May 18, 2018, LEYTE GULF completed the approximately six-month maintenance availability. The work, valued at roughly $13 million, was intended to restore equipment condition and support the cruiser's continued operational service. LEYTE GULF subsequently resumed sea trials, inspections and training from Norfolk in preparation for another deployment with a carrier strike group.

On February 5, 2019, LEYTE GULF was involved in a minor collision with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS ROBERT E. PEARY (T-AKE 5) during an underway replenishment off the southeastern coast of the United States. The ships made contact while conducting replenishment operations as part of pre-deployment training. There were no reported injuries. LEYTE GULF underwent damage assessments and repairs before continuing preparations for deployment.

On March 27, 2019, LEYTE GULF departed Norfolk for a deployment with Carrier Strike Group Twelve, centered on USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). The deployment was planned to include operations in the U.S. Sixth and Fifth Fleet areas of responsibility, with LEYTE GULF serving in an air-defense and maritime security role within the carrier strike group. During the Atlantic crossing and subsequent Mediterranean operations, LEYTE GULF participated in training and coordinated naval activities with American and allied forces. The carrier strike group subsequently proceeded toward the Middle East amid increasing tensions involving Iran. In May 2019, the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group was redirected toward the Arabian Sea in response to American concerns about threats to U.S. forces and regional shipping.

LEYTE GULF operated in the Arabian Sea and surrounding waters, providing air-defense coordination, surveillance and security for the carrier strike group. The deployment included exercises with other American naval formations, including units operating with USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) and the USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3) Amphibious Ready Group. These operations emphasized integrated air defense, maritime security and the ability to operate multiple naval formations in the same region.

During the latter part of 2019, LEYTE GULF continued Fifth Fleet operations associated with maritime security and protection of shipping routes. On November 19, the carrier strike group completed a transit of the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf. The passage took place during a period of heightened regional tensions following attacks on commercial shipping and oil infrastructure earlier in the year.

Following additional operations in the Persian Gulf, LEYTE GULF began her return voyage to the United States. She arrived at Naval Station Norfolk on January 4, 2020, completing a deployment of approximately nine months. During the remainder of 2020, LEYTE GULF remained based at Norfolk, undergoing maintenance, inspections and training following her extended deployment. Operational activities were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced restrictions on personnel movements, port access and shipboard procedures throughout the Navy. The cruiser continued preparations for future fleet assignments under the Optimized Fleet Response Plan.

During 2021, LEYTE GULF conducted additional maintenance and readiness activities in the western Atlantic. These included engineering inspections, combat systems training and operational exercises intended to maintain the ship's capabilities as an Aegis air-defense cruiser. The activities formed part of preparations for deployment with another Atlantic Fleet carrier strike group.

During the first half of 2022, LEYTE GULF completed basic, advanced and integrated training with Carrier Strike Group Ten and Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Six. The training included air-defense exercises, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare operations and coordinated carrier strike group activities. The deployment preparations took place against the background of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which resulted in increased NATO military activity and additional American naval deployments to European waters.

On August 8, 2022, LEYTE GULF departed Naval Station Norfolk for a deployment with the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77) Carrier Strike Group. The formation included the guided missile destroyers USS DELBERT D. BLACK (DDG 119) and USS FARRAGUT (DDG 99), with other destroyers assigned during the deployment. USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH departed Norfolk on August 10 and subsequently joined the other ships of the formation for operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

During the deployment, LEYTE GULF served as Air Defense Commander for the carrier strike group, coordinating air-defense operations and contributing to maritime surveillance. The formation operated extensively with NATO allies in the Mediterranean, participating in exercises and readiness activities intended to improve interoperability and demonstrate the alliance's ability to conduct integrated naval operations. On September 27, 2022, LEYTE GULF arrived at Souda Bay, Crete, for a scheduled logistics and port visit. During October, she participated in Exercise Neptune Strike 22.2, a multinational NATO maritime training activity involving aircraft carriers, surface combatants and allied air forces. The exercise emphasized coordinated operations across several maritime and air domains.

On October 31, 2022, LEYTE GULF arrived at Dubrovnik, Croatia, for a scheduled port visit. The cruiser subsequently resumed Mediterranean patrols and exercises with allied naval forces. On December 3, she arrived at Koper, Slovenia, for another port visit. These stops formed part of continued American naval engagement with NATO allies and partners in the Adriatic region. During December 2022, LEYTE GULF continued operations in the Mediterranean, including exercises, air-defense training and maritime security activities. On December 30, she arrived at Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a scheduled port visit. The cruiser subsequently resumed operations with elements of the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH Carrier Strike Group.

During the first months of 2023, LEYTE GULF continued participating in NATO exercises and integrated carrier operations. Her deployment included repeated coordination with allied naval and air forces, logistics support and maritime surveillance throughout the Mediterranean. Other American ships participating in the carrier strike group's operations included USS NITZE (DDG 94), USS TRUXTUN (DDG 103) and USS DELBERT D. BLACK. On April 23, 2023, LEYTE GULF returned to Naval Station Norfolk with the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH Carrier Strike Group, completing an approximately eight-month deployment. During the deployment, the cruiser had traveled nearly 65,000 nautical miles and served as the strike group's principal air-defense coordination platform.

Following her return, LEYTE GULF entered a post-deployment maintenance and training period. During the remainder of 2023, the Navy prepared the ship for a final operational deployment before her planned retirement. The cruiser continued local training and readiness activities while arrangements were made for her eventual inactivation.

On January 28, 2024, LEYTE GULF departed Naval Station Norfolk for what would become her final deployment. Assigned to the U.S. Fourth Fleet area of responsibility, the cruiser was tasked with maritime interdiction, counter-narcotics operations and theater security cooperation in the Caribbean Sea and adjacent Atlantic waters. The deployment involved cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard and regional law-enforcement authorities in efforts to detect and intercept maritime drug trafficking.

For the deployment, LEYTE GULF embarked a detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 50, the "Valkyries", and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 404. The embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopters provided airborne surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, while the Coast Guard personnel were responsible for conducting law-enforcement boardings and seizures. The combination of naval aviation, radar surveillance and embarked boarding teams allowed the cruiser to monitor large areas of ocean and respond to suspected trafficking vessels.

During February 2024, LEYTE GULF participated in several successful drug interdictions in the Caribbean. On February 6, the ship's team recovered approximately 520 kilograms of cocaine from a suspected trafficking vessel. On February 15, a further interdiction resulted in the recovery of approximately 600 kilograms of cocaine. Another operation on February 28 produced an additional seizure of approximately 600 kilograms. The three operations were conducted with support from American and partner-nation forces and resulted in the recovery of narcotics valued at more than $42 million.

On March 21, 2024, LEYTE GULF detected and intercepted a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of Trinidad and Tobago. Such low-profile vessels are used by drug trafficking organizations to transport large quantities of narcotics while reducing the likelihood of detection. Following surveillance and interception, a Coast Guard boarding team secured the craft and discovered approximately 2,370 kilograms of cocaine. Four suspected traffickers were detained in connection with the operation.

The captured semi-submersible was subsequently destroyed during a sinking exercise. The interdiction represented one of the most significant events of LEYTE GULF's final deployment and illustrated the continuing use of major U.S. Navy surface combatants to support Coast Guard law-enforcement operations in international waters. During the remainder of the deployment, LEYTE GULF continued counter-narcotics patrols and theater security cooperation activities with regional partners. Port visits and logistical stops included Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Barbados; Puerto Rico; and Miami, Florida, where the ship participated in Fleet Week activities. These engagements formed part of efforts to maintain maritime security cooperation throughout the Caribbean region.

The final deployment resulted in the disruption or seizure of approximately 4,100 kilograms of cocaine during conventional interdiction operations, in addition to the approximately 2,370 kilograms recovered from the semi-submersible. Together, these operations accounted for approximately 6,470 kilograms of illicit drugs. The Coast Guard boarding teams also apprehended fifteen suspected narcotics traffickers during the deployment. On May 17, 2024, LEYTE GULF returned to Naval Station Norfolk, completing her final operational deployment after nearly 37 years of commissioned service.

On May 28, 2024, LEYTE GULF began her final inactivation availability. The work involved securing and deactivating shipboard systems, removing operational equipment and preparing the cruiser for transfer to the inactive fleet. These activities were conducted following the Navy's decision to retire the aging TICONDEROGA-class cruisers as part of changes to the surface fleet.

On September 20, 2024, USS LEYTE GULF was decommissioned during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, eight days before the 37th anniversary of her commissioning. The ceremony was attended by more than 500 guests, including former commanding officers, members of the original commissioning crew and other former sailors. Vice Admiral Eugene Black III, a former commanding officer of LEYTE GULF, served as the principal speaker. Commander Brian M. Harrington, the ship's final commanding officer, oversaw the concluding stages of her inactivation. During her service, LEYTE GULF completed seventeen deployments and participated in operations that included Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Vigilant Warrior, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, as well as multinational NATO missions, counter-piracy operations and drug interdiction activities. The cruiser also served as a carrier strike group air-defense commander and as flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two.

Following decommissioning, the former USS LEYTE GULF was transferred to the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was placed in Logistic Support Asset status pending a decision on her final disposition.

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USS LEYTE GULF Patch Gallery:

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Accidents aboard USS LEYTE GULF:

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About the Cruiser's Name, about the Battle of Leyte Gulf:

LEYTE GULF commemorates the naval battle fought 23 - 26 October 1944 in the Philippines, virtually ending the Japanese Navy's capacity to fight as an organized force.

The battle marked the end of centuries of naval warfare tradition, in that it was the last sea battle between forces employing battleships. It also marked the last time surface ships employed the classic maneuver of "crossing the T," when the Japanese ships attempted to enter the Gulf through Surigao Strait early on 23 October.

The battle was showcased by three separate primary engagements, the Battle of Surigao Straits, the Battle of Samar Island, and the Battle of Cape Engano. Called the last of the great sea battles, the Battle of Leyte Gulf used every known weapon of naval warfare, with the exception of mines, and in sheer destruction, the battle has no rival in naval history.

Especially noteworthy of the battle was the battle off Samar, which lasted two hours and thirteen minutes, and was one of the most remarkable displays of absolute bravery in the U.S. Navy's history. In this encounter, U.S. Naval Forces fought against overwhelming odds, from which survival was not expected. Through extraordinary courage and gallantry from air crews and ship's crews, a small task force of destroyers, escorts, and torpedo bombers turned away the Imperial Japanese Center Battleship Force.

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USS LEYTE GULF Image Gallery:

The photo below was taken by Karl-Heinz Ahles and shows USS LEYTE GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., in September 1998.

The two photos below were taken by Jason Long and show the LEYTE GULF undergoing maintenance work at Norfolk, Va., on November 10, 2004.

The photos below were taken by me and show the LEYTE GULF passing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on her way to Norfolk, Va., after completing the Composite Training Unit Exercise with USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). The other photos show the cruiser moored at the Naval Base a few hours later. All photos were taken on October 29, 2010.

The photos below were taken by me and show the LEYTE GULF at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair facility in Norfolk, Va., for a modernization availability period as part of the Navy's Cruiser Modernization program. The photos were taken on May 6, 2012.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the LEYTE GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 28, 2013.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the LEYTE GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on May 8, 2014.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the LEYTE GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on April 29, 2015.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the LEYTE GULF drydocked at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., undergoing her Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA), on October 6, 2015.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the LEYTE GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on April 13, 2016.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning on October 16, 2016, during an open house aboard USS LEYTE GULF as part of Fleet Week Baltimore, Md.

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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the LEYTE GULF departing Baltimore, Md., on October 17, 2016, after participating in the city's Fleet Week.

The photos below were taken by me and show the LEYTE GULF at and departing Naval Base Wilhelmshaven, Germany, on April 13, 2017. Wilhelmshaven was LEYTE GULF's first port visit after she left Norfolk, Va., on March 27, 2017, for an independent deployment.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the LEYTE GULF at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., for ammunition offload on October 5, 2017. LEYTE GULF arrived at Yorktown on October 2, completing a six-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. The offload was completed on October 6 and LEYTE GULF continued to Naval Base Norfolk, Va., where she arrived the same day.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the LEYTE GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on September 21, 2018.

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the LEYTE GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on December 26, 2021.

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the decommissioned LEYTE GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 4, 2024.

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