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USS Philippine Sea (CG 58)

USS PHILIPPINE SEA was the twelfth ship in the TICONDEROGA - class of guided missile cruisers and the second ship in the Navy to bear the name. On September 25, 2025, the cruiser held a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk before she was officially decommissioned and stricken from the Navy list on September 30, 2025. Three weeks later, on October 20, she was towed to Philadelphia, Penn., for lay-up.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS PHILIPPINE SEA. 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 PHILIPPINE SEA memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS PHILIPPINE SEA Cruise Books:

• Mediterranean and Arabian Sea Cruise Book 2003-04
• Mediterranean and Arabian Sea Cruise Book 2011
• Mediterranean and Arabian Sea Cruise Book 2014
• Mediterranean and Arabian Sea Cruise Book 2017

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The shield's dark blue and white symbolize the sea. Gold embodies excellence and the color red implies action and battle. The two stars honor the past (CV 47) and present (CG 58) ships named for the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The vertical red bar and up right position of the trident, symbol of sea power, stand for the Vertical Launching System (VLS) of CG 58. The striking power of the ship and its Aegis Weapon System are symbolized by the trident's three prongs which stand for air, surface, and sub-surface warfare capabilities. The stylized sun in the base is taken from the Philippine flag and reflects the location of the World War II battle.

The World War II American victory at the Battle of the Philippine Sea is remembered as the "Marianas Turkey Shoot." Over eighty percent of enemy forces were destroyed at little cost to friendly forces. The rays allude to this heavy air fire and the World War II Japanese naval ensign. The crest's anchor and wings, together with the nine rays, commemorate the Battle of the Philippine Sea and CV 47.

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About the Cruiser's Name, about the Battle of the Philippine Sea:

The ship's name commemorates the World War II Battle of the Philippine Sea, fought near the Marianas Islands in June 1944, in which U.S. Naval forces destroyed over 400 Japanese planes and three aircraft carriers. The first Navy ship to be named USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CV 47) was an aircraft carrier of the famed "ESSEX" - class. Commissioned in 1946, the first USS PHILIPPINE SEA saw nearly continuous action throughout the 1950-1953 Korean conflict, receiving nine battle stars for its service. The ship was decommissioned in 1958.

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History of USS PHILIPPINE SEA:

USS PHILIPPINE SEA was built by Bath Iron Works at Bath, Maine. Her keel was laid on May 8, 1986, and she was launched on July 12, 1987. The cruiser was commissioned at Portland, Maine, on March 18, 1989. Following commissioning, PHILIPPINE SEA joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and was assigned to Naval Station Mayport, Florida, as her first homeport.

Following commissioning, the cruiser conducted shakedown training, weapons systems testing and engineering evaluations in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Her activities included the certification of the SPY-1 phased-array radar, missile launchers and aviation facilities, as well as integrated exercises with other Atlantic Fleet units. During the remainder of 1989 and the first half of 1990, PHILIPPINE SEA continued her operational training and preparations for her first overseas deployment. The training included air-defense exercises, anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, engineering inspections and coordinated operations with other American surface combatants.

In 1990, PHILIPPINE SEA began her first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea. The deployment coincided with the crisis in the Persian Gulf following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2. The United States and coalition partners subsequently assembled substantial naval and military forces in the region under Operation Desert Shield, intended to prevent further Iraqi advances and compel Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. During her deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA operated under the U.S. Sixth and Seventh Fleet command structures before joining the American naval forces assembled in the Red Sea. The cruiser conducted maritime surveillance, air-defense operations and exercises with American and allied warships. Her assignments included monitoring commercial shipping and supporting the enforcement of United Nations sanctions imposed against Iraq.

PHILIPPINE SEA participated in maritime interception operations in the Red Sea, where American and coalition vessels inspected merchant ships suspected of carrying prohibited cargo. Her visit, board, search and seizure teams conducted boardings as part of the multinational effort to restrict Iraqi imports and exports. The cruiser also provided air-defense support for naval formations preparing for possible military action against Iraq.

On January 17, 1991, the multinational coalition began Operation Desert Storm, launching an extensive air and missile campaign against Iraqi military and government targets. PHILIPPINE SEA participated in the naval missile campaign, firing Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles against designated targets in Iraq. During the conflict, the cruiser launched ten Tomahawk missiles while continuing maritime interception and air-defense duties. The naval campaign was conducted in coordination with carrier-based aircraft, land-based coalition air forces and other American and allied warships. PHILIPPINE SEA maintained surveillance of the surrounding air and maritime environment and supported the protection of coalition naval units operating in the Red Sea.

Following the liberation of Kuwait and the suspension of major offensive operations on February 28, 1991, PHILIPPINE SEA continued supporting maritime security and sanctions enforcement. During the deployment, the cruiser transited the Suez Canal six times and made port visits in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. She returned to Mayport in March 1991, completing her first overseas deployment. Her service during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm was subsequently recognized with the Navy Unit Commendation and campaign awards.

During the remainder of 1991, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted maintenance, training and additional operational assignments in the western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Later that year, she served as flagship for a joint task force conducting counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean. The task force coordinated naval surveillance and maritime interdiction activities intended to identify and intercept vessels transporting illegal drugs toward the United States. PHILIPPINE SEA's participation in these operations contributed to the award of the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

In May 1992, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport for her second deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea. The deployment took place during a period of continuing international efforts to enforce sanctions against Iraq and growing instability in the former Yugoslavia. American naval forces in the Mediterranean were increasingly employed in support of multinational maritime surveillance, sanctions enforcement and humanitarian operations associated with the conflicts in the Balkans. During the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted two transits of the Suez Canal and participated in maritime interception operations in the Red Sea. Her boarding teams inspected thirty-nine merchant vessels suspected of violating United Nations sanctions against Iraq. The operations required close coordination with other American and coalition ships monitoring commercial shipping routes between the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

In the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea, PHILIPPINE SEA supported United Nations activities associated with the developing conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. These operations involved maritime surveillance, monitoring commercial traffic and supporting the international effort to enforce sanctions and an arms embargo. The cruiser also conducted exercises with American and allied naval units. Port visits during the deployment included stops in Spain, France, Italy, Egypt and Israel. PHILIPPINE SEA returned to Mayport in November 1992 after approximately six months overseas. The cruiser subsequently received the James F. Chezek Award for achieving the highest naval gunfire support score in the Atlantic Fleet during 1992.

During 1993, PHILIPPINE SEA underwent a dry-docking availability in Boston, Massachusetts. The maintenance period, conducted during July and August, included hull inspections, engineering repairs and work on mechanical, electrical and combat systems. Following completion of the availability, the cruiser resumed sea trials and operational training.

During the latter part of 1993, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted exercises with the USS SARATOGA (CV 60) Battle Group in preparation for another Mediterranean deployment. The exercises included integrated air defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and maritime interdiction training. Additional activities involved the evaluation of communications procedures, weapons systems and coordinated carrier operations.

In January 1994, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport with the USS SARATOGA Joint Task Group for her third Mediterranean deployment. The formation operated under the U.S. Sixth Fleet and supported international operations associated with the conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the enforcement of United Nations sanctions against the former Yugoslavia. During the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA operated extensively in the Adriatic Sea, conducting maritime surveillance and supporting multinational operations intended to enforce restrictions on shipping to the former Yugoslavia. These activities formed part of the international naval presence associated with Operations Sharp Guard and Deny Flight, under which NATO and Western European forces enforced maritime sanctions and restrictions on military aviation over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

PHILIPPINE SEA also participated in several multinational exercises with NATO forces, conducting coordinated air-defense, surface warfare and maritime security training. Port visits included locations in Spain, Turkey, Greece and Italy. The cruiser returned to Mayport at the end of June 1994, completing another six-month deployment. Her service during the deployment was subsequently recognized with the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Following her return, PHILIPPINE SEA resumed operations in the western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. During July, August, November and December 1994, the cruiser participated in additional counter-narcotics operations, supporting joint efforts by the Navy, Coast Guard and other American law-enforcement agencies to detect and intercept maritime drug trafficking. Her surveillance systems and embarked boarding teams were employed in coordinated maritime interdiction activities throughout the Caribbean region.

During the first months of 1995, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted maintenance, inspections and training in preparation for a deployment to northern European waters. The cruiser was selected to serve as flagship for BALTOPS 1995, the annual multinational Baltic Operations exercise. In mid-May 1995, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport for the Baltic Sea, where she operated with naval forces from the United States and several European countries. BALTOPS 1995 was conducted during a period of expanding military cooperation between NATO and countries in Northern and Eastern Europe following the end of the Cold War.

The exercise involved surface warfare, air defense, anti-submarine operations, maritime surveillance, communications training and coordinated naval maneuvering. As flagship, PHILIPPINE SEA provided facilities for the exercise command staff and supported the coordination of multinational operations involving ships and aircraft from participating navies. The deployment also included visits to northern European ports and professional exchanges with allied and partner-nation naval personnel. PHILIPPINE SEA returned to Mayport in July 1995 and subsequently entered a maintenance period. The remainder of the year was devoted primarily to shipyard work, inspections and training preparations for her next operational deployment.

During the first half of 1996, PHILIPPINE SEA resumed operational training and exercised with the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) Battle Group. The training included carrier air-defense coordination, anti-submarine warfare, missile warfare and maritime surveillance in preparation for a deployment to the Mediterranean. During the summer of 1996, PHILIPPINE SEA deployed with the USS ENTERPRISE Battle Group to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. The deployment continued American naval support for operations associated with the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords, which had ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina in December 1995.

The cruiser participated in multinational exercises and maritime security activities with NATO and partner-nation naval forces. These included operations conducted under NATO's Partnership for Peace program, involving naval units from seven additional countries. The training focused on improving communications, tactical procedures, air-defense coordination and the ability of naval forces from different countries to operate together. During the Mediterranean deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted surveillance and air-defense duties while the carrier battle group supported American and allied military activities in the region. Port visits and logistical stops were made in support of the deployment before the cruiser returned to Mayport.

During 1997 and the first months of 1998, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted maintenance, inspections and readiness evaluations. Her activities included participation in the Atlantic Fleet training cycle, with particular emphasis on Aegis air-defense capabilities, Tomahawk strike warfare and coordinated carrier battle group operations. On August 9, 1998, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in a sinking exercise near Puerto Rico with units of the USS ENTERPRISE Battle Group. The target was the decommissioned guided missile cruiser ex-USS RICHMOND K. TURNER (CG 20), a former LEAHY-class ship that had been prepared for weapons-effect testing. The exercise involved coordinated attacks against the former cruiser to evaluate weapon performance and ship survivability characteristics. The target vessel was subsequently sunk.

Following further training and deployment preparations, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport in November 1998 for a six-month deployment with the USS ENTERPRISE Battle Group. The deployment initially involved Mediterranean operations and subsequently included the NATO military campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. During the opening months of 1999, the situation in Kosovo deteriorated as Yugoslav security forces and the Kosovo Liberation Army continued fighting. Following unsuccessful diplomatic efforts, NATO began Operation Allied Force on March 24, 1999, conducting air and missile attacks intended to force Yugoslav military and security forces to withdraw from Kosovo.

PHILIPPINE SEA participated in the opening phase of Operation Allied Force, launching Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles against designated Yugoslav military targets on March 24, 1999. Further Tomahawk launches were conducted on March 25 and March 31. The missile strikes formed part of the coordinated NATO campaign involving American and allied aircraft and naval forces operating in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. During the campaign, PHILIPPINE SEA maintained air-defense and surveillance duties while supporting carrier operations and the coordinated employment of cruise missiles. The operations required close management of aircraft movements, missile flight paths and the air-defense picture in an area used by numerous American and allied military aircraft.

After completing her combat assignments, PHILIPPINE SEA returned across the Atlantic Ocean and arrived at Naval Station Mayport in May 1999. The cruiser subsequently entered a post-deployment maintenance period before resuming local training and operational evaluations.

During the remainder of 1999 and throughout 2000, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted maintenance, inspections and training in preparation for another deployment with the USS ENTERPRISE Battle Group. These activities included engineering evaluations, weapons qualifications, air-defense exercises and integrated training with other American and NATO naval units. From March 9 to 11, 2001, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in Exercise Unified Warrior off Puerto Rico. The multinational exercise involved approximately eighteen ships, including American, German, Belgian, Dutch and Canadian naval units, and focused on coordinated missile firing and fleet air-defense procedures.

Serving as Air Defense Commander for the USS ENTERPRISE Battle Group, PHILIPPINE SEA coordinated the positioning and movements of participating ships during live-fire missile exercises. The cruiser also managed the placement of ships assigned to collect tracking and performance data for subsequent evaluation of weapons systems and tactical procedures.

On April 25, 2001, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport with the USS ENTERPRISE Battle Group for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East. During the early portion of the deployment, the cruiser participated in the Joint Maritime Course, a Royal Navy-led exercise conducted near the United Kingdom. The exercise involved integrated maritime, air and land operations and was intended to improve multinational naval cooperation. The battle group subsequently continued through the Mediterranean toward the Middle East. PHILIPPINE SEA performed air-defense, maritime surveillance and carrier escort duties while American naval forces maintained their presence in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea. These activities included support for Operation Southern Watch and the continuing enforcement of international sanctions against Iraq.

On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States resulted in a rapid expansion of American military operations. Naval forces operating in the Middle East were redirected or retained in the region to support the developing campaign against al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan. On October 7, 2001, the United States and its allies began Operation Enduring Freedom with air and missile attacks against targets in Afghanistan. PHILIPPINE SEA was among the American naval vessels participating in the opening strikes, launching Tomahawk land-attack missiles against designated al-Qaeda training facilities and Taliban military installations.

Other American warships participating in the opening Tomahawk attacks included USS PRINCETON (CG 59), USS McFAUL (DDG 74), USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53), USS O'BRIEN (DD 975) and USS PROVIDENCE (SSN 719), together with British submarines. The attacks were coordinated with carrier-based and land-based aircraft conducting missions over Afghanistan.

Following the opening phase of Operation Enduring Freedom, PHILIPPINE SEA completed her remaining deployment assignments and began the return voyage to the United States. She arrived at Mayport on November 10, 2001, after approximately six and a half months overseas.

During 2002, PHILIPPINE SEA underwent post-deployment maintenance, inspections and training. The cruiser remained assigned to the Atlantic Fleet and continued preparations for future carrier strike group operations. The activities included engineering evaluations, Aegis combat systems training, weapons qualifications and operational exercises in the western Atlantic. During the first three quarters of 2003, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in integrated training with the USS ENTERPRISE Carrier Strike Group. On March 19, Captain Stephen J. Johnson relieved Captain Christopher T. Nichols as commanding officer. The cruiser subsequently completed preparations for another Middle East deployment.

On September 2, 2003, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport to participate in a Composite Training Unit Exercise with the USS ENTERPRISE Carrier Strike Group. The exercise involved coordinated air-defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and strike warfare training in Atlantic operating areas. Following completion of the exercise at the end of September, the ships prepared for their overseas deployment.

On October 2, 2003, PHILIPPINE SEA departed with the USS ENTERPRISE Carrier Strike Group for operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East. The deployment followed the American-led invasion of Iraq earlier that year and took place during continuing military operations intended to stabilize the country and support the new Iraqi administration. After transiting the Atlantic and Mediterranean, PHILIPPINE SEA entered the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. The cruiser served as the overall command ship for Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Persian Gulf, coordinating surveillance and boarding activities intended to disrupt illicit maritime traffic and prevent the movement of prohibited cargo.

During the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA's visit, board, search and seizure teams conducted more than 120 inspections of commercial and other vessels. These activities supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and involved cooperation with American and coalition naval forces. On December 20, 2003, PHILIPPINE SEA intercepted two dhows suspected of transporting illegal narcotics. Boarding teams detained the vessels and their twenty-one crew members, discovering heroin among the cargo. The operation formed part of a broader series of maritime interdictions during which more than two tons of illegal drugs were seized.

PHILIPPINE SEA also supported maritime security operations around Iraq's offshore oil infrastructure. These included patrols protecting the Al Basra oil terminal in the northern Persian Gulf, which was considered essential to Iraq's postwar economy and vulnerable to attacks by insurgent and terrorist groups. The cruiser coordinated surveillance and security activities intended to prevent unauthorized vessels from approaching the facilities.

Throughout the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA operated with American and coalition ships conducting maritime security patrols, boarding operations and surveillance throughout the Persian Gulf. Her embarked SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 44, Detachment Three, provided airborne reconnaissance and supported the identification and tracking of suspicious vessels. After completing her Middle East assignments, PHILIPPINE SEA returned through the Suez Canal and Mediterranean Sea. She arrived at Mayport on March 12, 2004, completing a five-month deployment.

Following her return, PHILIPPINE SEA resumed maintenance, training and regional naval activities. On April 28, 2004, the cruiser arrived at Port Everglades, Florida, for activities associated with Fleet Week, including public visits and engagement with local organizations. During the remainder of 2004 and the first months of 2005, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted maintenance, readiness evaluations and training in preparation for another overseas deployment. The Navy's Fleet Response Plan placed increasing emphasis on the ability to deploy additional ships outside the traditional six-month deployment cycle.

On May 25, 2005, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport as part of a surge deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The cruiser operated in conjunction with the USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) Expeditionary Strike Group, which included USS NICHOLAS (FFG 47), USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13) and USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44). The deployment was part of the Navy's efforts to increase the availability of operational forces in the U.S. European and Central Command areas of responsibility. PHILIPPINE SEA was assigned maritime security and air-defense missions in the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East.

On June 8, 2005, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Souda Bay, Crete, for a scheduled port visit. The cruiser subsequently continued eastward toward the Suez Canal and the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. During the following months, PHILIPPINE SEA operated in the Persian Gulf, supporting maritime interception operations, surveillance activities and security around important shipping routes and Iraqi offshore infrastructure. Her duties included monitoring suspected illicit maritime traffic and providing air-defense support to American and coalition forces operating in the region. The deployment also involved training and coordination with other naval units assigned to maritime security duties. PHILIPPINE SEA returned to Mayport in September 2005 after approximately four months overseas, completing an accelerated deployment conducted under the Fleet Response Plan.

During the latter part of 2005 and early 2006, PHILIPPINE SEA resumed maintenance and training in the western Atlantic. The cruiser conducted engineering inspections, weapons qualifications and preparations for another Middle East deployment. On March 17, 2006, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Boston, Massachusetts, for a four-day port visit associated with the city's St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Following the visit, she returned to operational training and preparations for deployment with a new expeditionary strike group.

On June 6, 2006, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport with the USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) Expeditionary Strike Group for a scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East. The formation was assigned maritime security, amphibious support and regional engagement missions associated with the continuing American military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. During the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA proceeded through the Mediterranean and Suez Canal into the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. Her duties included air-defense coordination, maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction and protection of shipping routes in the Persian Gulf.

In the northern Persian Gulf, PHILIPPINE SEA served as flagship for Combined Task Force 158, the multinational naval command responsible for maritime security around Iraq's offshore oil infrastructure. These operations were intended to protect the Al Basra and Khawr al-Amaya oil terminals and the approaches to the Shatt al-Arab waterway from attacks and unauthorized vessel movements. As task force flagship, PHILIPPINE SEA provided command and control facilities for the multinational force and coordinated surveillance and patrol activities involving American, British, Iraqi and other coalition naval units. The cruiser supported extensive inspections of small craft and merchant vessels operating in the northern Persian Gulf, helping maintain maritime security around the oil terminals and associated shipping routes.

The deployment also included multinational exercises, maritime interception operations and air-defense training. PHILIPPINE SEA continued operating in the Fifth Fleet area during the summer and fall of 2006, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and the protection of commercial maritime traffic. On November 8, 2006, PHILIPPINE SEA transited the Suez Canal northbound, beginning the final portion of her return voyage. She subsequently visited Souda Bay, Crete, before crossing the Mediterranean and Atlantic. The cruiser arrived at Mayport on December 8, completing a six-month deployment.

During 2007, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted maintenance, inspections and deployment preparations with the USS NASSAU (LHA 4) Expeditionary Strike Group. In September, she participated in Expeditionary Strike Group Integration training, followed by a Composite Training Unit Exercise that concluded in December. The exercises involved coordinated air defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and amphibious support operations.

On January 17, 2008, Captain Gary R. Parriott relieved Captain Kim A. Parker as commanding officer of PHILIPPINE SEA during a ceremony aboard the cruiser. Final preparations continued for another deployment to European and Middle Eastern waters.

On February 19, 2008, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport with the USS NASSAU Expeditionary Strike Group. Other participating ships included USS NASHVILLE, USS ASHLAND (LSD 48), USS ROSS (DDG 71), USS BULKELEY (DDG 84) and USS ALBANY (SSN 753). The deployment involved operations in the U.S. Sixth and Fifth Fleet areas of responsibility, with assignments including maritime security, amphibious support, theater security cooperation and exercises with regional naval forces.

On March 13, 2008, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Souda Bay, Crete, for a scheduled port visit. The cruiser subsequently proceeded to the eastern Mediterranean, where she participated in Exercise Caya Green with the Israeli Navy. Following completion of the exercise, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Haifa, Israel, on March 26. After transiting the Suez Canal, PHILIPPINE SEA proceeded toward the Arabian Sea. During April, she participated in Arabian Shark 2008, a multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise involving American and regional naval forces. The exercise included USS CARNEY (DDG 64) and units of the Bahraini Navy. The training focused on anti-submarine detection, tracking, tactical maneuvering and cooperation among participating ships.

On April 24, 2008, PHILIPPINE SEA was operating in the northern Persian Gulf, supporting security around the Al Basra oil terminal. The cruiser served as Surface Action Commander for units assigned to protect the facility, coordinating patrol vessels and surveillance operations intended to prevent attacks on the offshore infrastructure. On May 6, 2008, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a four-day port visit. Following the visit, she participated in Exercise Goal Keeper III, a multinational maritime security exercise with the United Arab Emirates Navy. The training included maritime surveillance, boarding procedures and cooperation in the protection of important shipping routes and maritime infrastructure.

Later in May, PHILIPPINE SEA visited Mina Salman in Bahrain from May 26 to 30. The cruiser subsequently completed her remaining Fifth Fleet assignments before returning through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea. During June 2008, PHILIPPINE SEA visited Aksaz Naval Base, Turkey, and Split, Croatia, while continuing operations with American and allied naval forces. The cruiser subsequently crossed the Atlantic Ocean and returned to Mayport on July 10, completing an approximately five-month deployment.

During the remainder of 2008, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted maintenance, inspections and local operations. Her activities included a visit to Charleston, South Carolina, in September, ammunition handling at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in October and a visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in November in connection with Remembrance Day observances. During the opening months of 2009, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in Atlantic Fleet exercises and operational training. In January, she served as part of the opposing force during training for the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group. Later that month, the cruiser visited Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, where she supported Surface Warfare Officers School training.

During March 2009, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted Fleet Irregular Warfare Training with USS ANZIO (CG 68) and USS PORTER (DDG 78). The training was conducted in the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center operating area near Andros Island, Bahamas, and in waters off Jacksonville, Florida. It focused on maritime security operations and the response to unconventional threats.

On April 23, 2009, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted a medical evacuation involving a seventy-year-old passenger from the cruise ship BRAEMAR in the Atlantic Ocean. The cruiser was proceeding toward the United Kingdom for multinational exercises when the medical emergency occurred. The ship's aviation personnel supported the evacuation to allow the passenger to receive further medical treatment. PHILIPPINE SEA subsequently participated in Exercise Joint Warrior off Scotland, a major multinational exercise involving naval, air and land forces. The exercise included integrated maritime warfare training, anti-submarine operations, air defense and coordinated activities with British and allied naval units. During May 2009, the cruiser visited Royal Navy facilities at Devonport and Faslane before completing her European training activities and returning to the United States.

Following her return, PHILIPPINE SEA entered an extended maintenance period involving hull preservation, engineering repairs, machinery inspections and combat systems work. The availability continued into 2010 as the Navy prepared the cruiser for further operational service. In October 2010, PHILIPPINE SEA underwent an inspection by the Board of Inspection and Survey. The cruiser did not meet all required material readiness standards during the inspection, resulting in additional corrective maintenance and training. The work focused on restoring equipment condition and addressing deficiencies identified during the evaluation.

During the first half of 2011, PHILIPPINE SEA resumed operational training and preparations for an overseas deployment. In May and June, the cruiser proceeded to northern European waters to participate in BALTOPS 2011, the annual multinational Baltic Operations exercise. The exercise involved naval forces from the United States, Russia, Denmark, Poland, France and other European countries. Training included maritime surveillance, surface warfare, air-defense exercises, anti-submarine operations, coordinated maneuvering and maritime security procedures. During BALTOPS, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted exercises with American and partner-nation surface combatants, including operations intended to improve communications and tactical interoperability among participating navies.

On June 17, 2011, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Kiel, Germany, following the sea phase of BALTOPS. The cruiser moored at the German naval base and participated in activities associated with Kiel Week, including official visits, public access and engagement with German naval personnel. PHILIPPINE SEA departed Kiel on June 20 and subsequently continued her deployment toward the Mediterranean and Middle East.

On July 1, 2011, PHILIPPINE SEA transited the Suez Canal southbound and entered the Red Sea. The cruiser subsequently proceeded toward the Gulf of Aden, where American and multinational naval forces were conducting maritime security and counter-piracy operations in response to continued attacks on commercial shipping by Somali pirates. During the early hours of July 6, 2011, PHILIPPINE SEA received a distress call from the tanker BRILLANTE VIRTUOSO, which was approximately twenty nautical miles southwest of Aden, Yemen. The tanker reported an attack by suspected pirates and a fire aboard the vessel.

PHILIPPINE SEA proceeded to the scene and dispatched rescue personnel to assist the tanker. Twenty-six Filipino crew members were recovered and brought aboard the cruiser, where they received medical attention and assistance. The ship subsequently coordinated with regional authorities and commercial salvage personnel as efforts continued to control the fire. The incident was initially reported as a piracy attack involving rocket-propelled grenades. Years later, an investigation and proceedings before the English High Court established that the circumstances surrounding the reported attack and fire had been deliberately manipulated as part of an insurance fraud scheme.

Following the rescue operation, PHILIPPINE SEA resumed maritime security patrols in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. Her activities included surveillance of important shipping routes, counter-piracy operations and exercises with American and coalition naval units. During the latter part of the deployment, the cruiser returned through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea and subsequently entered the Black Sea for a series of engagement activities with regional partner nations. On October 12, 2011, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Istanbul, Turkey, for a scheduled port visit. Following her departure, the cruiser continued into the Black Sea, visiting Batumi, Georgia, on October 17. During the visit, American and Georgian personnel conducted training and professional exchanges involving maritime security and coast guard operations.

PHILIPPINE SEA subsequently visited Sevastopol, Ukraine, arriving on October 21 for a port period lasting until October 25. The visit included professional exchanges and engagement with Ukrainian naval personnel and local authorities. On October 25, 2011, Captain Stephen A. Shinego relieved Captain Herbert M. Hadley as commanding officer during a change-of-command ceremony held aboard PHILIPPINE SEA while the ship was operating in the Black Sea. The cruiser subsequently arrived at Burgas, Bulgaria, for a three-day port visit. During the Black Sea deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in training and engagement activities with the navies and maritime authorities of Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey and Ukraine. The activities were intended to improve cooperation and maritime security capabilities while maintaining the American naval presence in the region. After departing the Black Sea, PHILIPPINE SEA returned through the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. The cruiser arrived at Mayport on November 15, 2011.

During 2012, PHILIPPINE SEA underwent post-deployment maintenance and resumed training in the western Atlantic. On September 14, the cruiser performed a burial-at-sea ceremony for Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon and a former U.S. Navy aviator. Armstrong had died on August 25, 2012. The ceremony was conducted in the Atlantic Ocean with members of Armstrong's family and Navy personnel aboard. Following the service, his cremated remains were committed to the sea with military honors. The event was conducted in recognition of Armstrong's naval service and his role in American space exploration.

During the remainder of 2012 and throughout 2013, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted maintenance, inspections and training in preparation for a deployment with the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77) Carrier Strike Group. The training included group sail operations, air-defense coordination, strike warfare exercises and integrated carrier training.

On October 4, 2013, Captain Wesley A. Smith relieved Captain Stephen A. Shinego as commanding officer. During November and December, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in Composite Training Unit Exercise and Joint Task Force Exercise activities with the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH Carrier Strike Group, completing the preparations required for overseas deployment.

On February 15, 2014, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport for a nine-month deployment with Carrier Strike Group Two, centered on USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH. Other participating ships included USS TRUXTUN (DDG 103) and USS ROOSEVELT (DDG 80). Following the Atlantic crossing, PHILIPPINE SEA entered the Mediterranean Sea and arrived at Piraeus, Greece, on March 4 for a scheduled port visit. The cruiser subsequently visited Aksaz Naval Base, Turkey, before transiting the Suez Canal southbound on March 19 and entering the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. During the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA provided air-defense and maritime security capabilities for the carrier strike group while American naval forces supported ongoing military operations in Afghanistan and monitored regional security developments. Her assignments included surveillance, carrier escort duties and coordination of air-defense activities with other surface combatants and aircraft.

During April and May 2014, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted operations in the Persian Gulf, interrupted by port visits to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The cruiser arrived at Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain on April 22 and subsequently visited Jebel Ali from May 24 to 28. In June 2014, the security situation in Iraq deteriorated as the Islamic State organization captured substantial territory in northern and western Iraq. American military forces subsequently began conducting air operations against Islamic State positions, while the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH Carrier Strike Group remained in the region to support the developing military campaign.

During the summer, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted air-defense and surveillance operations associated with the carrier strike group while preparations continued for possible military operations against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria. The cruiser made additional logistics visits to Jebel Ali during August and September. On September 23, 2014, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in the opening American and coalition military strikes against Islamic State and al-Qaeda-associated targets in Syria. Operating in the northern Persian Gulf, the cruiser launched Tomahawk land-attack missiles against designated targets.

The coordinated missile strikes were conducted in conjunction with USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51), which was operating in the Red Sea. Together, the two American warships launched forty-seven Tomahawk missiles against targets in Syria. The strikes formed part of a larger operation involving American and coalition aircraft attacking Islamic State facilities and positions associated with the Khorasan Group. PHILIPPINE SEA's participation in the strikes formed part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the American-led military campaign against Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria. The Tomahawk attacks were coordinated with aircraft operating from American carriers and regional air bases, requiring detailed planning of missile flight routes, airspace management and target assignments.

After completing the opening strikes, PHILIPPINE SEA continued maritime security and carrier escort duties in the Fifth Fleet area. The cruiser subsequently began her return voyage through the Suez Canal and Mediterranean Sea. On November 1, 2014, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Barcelona, Spain, for a four-day port visit. Following completion of the visit, the cruiser crossed the Atlantic Ocean and returned to Mayport on November 15, completing a nine-month deployment.

During the first months of 2015, PHILIPPINE SEA entered a Selected Restricted Availability at Mayport. On March 31, BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards received a contract modification valued at approximately $18.3 million for maintenance and repair work aboard the cruiser. The availability included structural repairs, habitability improvements, machinery maintenance and electrical and combat systems work. The repairs and modifications were intended to restore equipment condition and support the ship's continued operational service. The work continued through the summer of 2015.

On October 10, 2015, Captain Wesley A. Smith, the commanding officer of PHILIPPINE SEA, died following a fire at his residence at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. Emergency personnel responded to the fire and found Smith unresponsive. He was transported to Naval Hospital Jacksonville, where he was pronounced dead. Following his death, Executive Officer Commander Nathan L. Rowan temporarily assumed command of PHILIPPINE SEA. On October 12, Captain John R. Schmidt assumed command, replacing Rowan during a ceremony aboard the cruiser. The change had originally been scheduled for a later date.

During the remainder of 2015 and the first half of 2016, PHILIPPINE SEA underwent additional maintenance and training. A Continuous Maintenance Availability during early 2016 included further preservation, equipment repairs and combat systems work. Following completion of the maintenance period, the cruiser resumed operational training and preparations for deployment with the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH Carrier Strike Group. During the summer and fall, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in group sail exercises and readiness evaluations, including Composite Training Unit Exercise and Joint Task Force Exercise activities.

On January 21, 2017, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Mayport with the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH Carrier Strike Group for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East. The deployment took place while American and coalition military forces continued operations against Islamic State positions in Iraq and Syria. Following the Atlantic crossing, PHILIPPINE SEA entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar on February 2. During the Mediterranean portion of the deployment, the cruiser participated in maritime security operations and exercises with American and allied naval forces.

On February 28, 2017, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted a visit, board, search and seizure training exercise with the Egyptian frigate ENS TAHYA MISR (FFG 1001). The exercise focused on maritime interdiction procedures, boarding operations and cooperation between American and Egyptian naval forces. On March 1, 2017, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Souda Bay, Crete, for a four-day port visit. After departing, the cruiser conducted a passing exercise with the Greek frigate HS KOUNTOURIOTIS (F 462) on March 5.

PHILIPPINE SEA transited the Suez Canal on March 10 and proceeded into the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. On March 21, the cruiser passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf and began operations in support of the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH Carrier Strike Group. During the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA provided air-defense coordination and surveillance capabilities while aircraft from USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH conducted missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The cruiser also participated in maritime security operations intended to protect commercial shipping and maintain security around important regional waterways.

On April 9, 2017, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain for a week-long maintenance and logistics visit. Following completion of the visit, the cruiser resumed operations in the Persian Gulf. On May 18, 2017, Captain Peter K. Nilsen relieved Captain John R. Schmidt as commanding officer during a ceremony aboard PHILIPPINE SEA while the ship was operating in the Persian Gulf. During the following months, PHILIPPINE SEA continued air-defense, maritime security and carrier escort duties in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The cruiser also participated in multinational exercises and coordinated maritime operations with allied naval forces.

During the return voyage, PHILIPPINE SEA proceeded through the Suez Canal and Mediterranean Sea and continued into northern European waters. On July 27, 2017, the cruiser arrived at Portsmouth, United Kingdom, for a five-day port visit. While at Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth, PHILIPPINE SEA was moored alongside USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75). Following the port visit, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in Exercise Saxon Warrior 2017, a multinational training event involving American and British naval forces. The exercise focused on carrier operations, air defense, anti-submarine warfare and the coordination of naval units during complex maritime operations. PHILIPPINE SEA subsequently crossed the Atlantic Ocean and returned to Mayport on August 19, 2017, completing a seven-month deployment. Following her return, the cruiser entered a post-deployment maintenance period.

During September 2017, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted an emergency sortie from Mayport to avoid Hurricane Irma, which approached the southeastern United States. The ship returned to port after the storm had passed and subsequently resumed training and maintenance. During October and November 2017, the cruiser participated in additional Atlantic Fleet exercises, including amphibious training associated with Exercise Bold Alligator and anti-submarine warfare activities in the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center operating area near the Bahamas.

During 2018, PHILIPPINE SEA underwent maintenance and modernization. In February, the Navy awarded additional work associated with the cruiser's continued service. The ship subsequently resumed inspections and local operations. During 2019, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted readiness evaluations, weapons qualifications and operational training in the western Atlantic. The cruiser participated in exercises with other American surface combatants and supporting aircraft, including training in anti-submarine warfare and maritime security. During November 2019, PHILIPPINE SEA supported training associated with the British aircraft carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH (R 08) and its Westlant deployment. The cruiser subsequently conducted ammunition loading and additional exercises in preparation for another overseas deployment.

During the first months of 2020, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in integrated exercises and readiness evaluations from Mayport. The activities included training in waters near the Bahamas, Jacksonville and Charleston, South Carolina, as well as exercises associated with the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group. On May 7, 2020, PHILIPPINE SEA was involved in a significant fuel spill while moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia, for ammunition loading. Approximately 4,000 U.S. gallons of diesel fuel were released into the York River. The ship's crew, Navy environmental response personnel and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted containment and recovery operations. Absorbent booms and other equipment were employed to prevent the spread of the fuel, and an investigation was initiated to determine the cause of the incident.

On May 18, 2020, Captain Erica Hoffmann was relieved of command following a loss of confidence in her ability to command. The decision followed a command investigation conducted after the fuel spill. Captain Robert S. Thompson temporarily assumed command of PHILIPPINE SEA.

Following completion of maintenance and operational preparations, the cruiser resumed sea trials, weapons qualifications and readiness exercises. In July, PHILIPPINE SEA was commanded by Captain Kevin J. Hoffman and completed further training in preparation for independent deployment.

On August 14, 2020, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Norfolk for an extended independent deployment to the U.S. Second, Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of responsibility. The ship embarked two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48, Detachment Five, known as the Vipers. The deployment took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had introduced extensive restrictions on naval port visits, crew movements and shipboard health procedures. PHILIPPINE SEA conducted her deployment under measures intended to reduce the risk of infection while maintaining operational readiness.

After departing Norfolk, PHILIPPINE SEA crossed the Atlantic and visited Rota, Spain, before entering the Mediterranean Sea. The cruiser participated in exercises with USS ROSS and the Spanish frigate ALVARO DE BAZAN (F 101), focusing on maritime security, air defense and coordinated naval maneuvering. On August 30, 2020, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Souda Bay, Crete, for a logistics visit. Following departure on September 2, the cruiser transited the Suez Canal southbound on September 4 and proceeded into the Red Sea.

During September, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in Exercise Infinite Defender 2020, a multinational maritime security exercise involving American and regional partner forces. The exercise focused on the protection of commercial shipping, maritime interdiction and cooperation in important regional waterways. After transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, PHILIPPINE SEA proceeded into the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. On September 18, the cruiser entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, beginning an extended period of Fifth Fleet operations. During the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA served as Regional Air and Missile Defense Commander, providing surveillance and coordination of air-defense activities involving American and partner-nation naval units. The ship also supported Coalition Task Force Sentinel, a multinational maritime security effort established to improve the protection of commercial shipping in the Middle East following attacks on merchant vessels and regional tensions in 2019.

The cruiser participated in escort missions, maritime surveillance and coordinated operations with American and coalition ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. Her embarked helicopters provided reconnaissance and surface-search capabilities while shipboard combat systems maintained surveillance of aircraft and maritime contacts. During October and November 2020, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted repeated transits of the Strait of Hormuz and replenishment operations at sea. The cruiser received fuel and supplies from Military Sealift Command ships, including USNS MATTHEW PERRY (T-AKE 9), allowing her to maintain extended patrols without frequent port visits.

On October 28, 2020, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Mina Salman Port in Bahrain for a limited liberty and maintenance visit. The cruiser resumed operations in early November and subsequently returned to Bahrain for a further port visit over the Thanksgiving holiday. During December 2020, PHILIPPINE SEA continued operations in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters. On December 21, the cruiser participated in the escort of the guided missile submarine USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) during a transit of the Strait of Hormuz. The operation formed part of the American naval presence intended to maintain maritime security during a period of heightened regional tensions.

During January 2021, PHILIPPINE SEA continued maritime security operations under the Combined Maritime Forces structure. On January 30, the cruiser intercepted a stateless dhow in international waters of the northern Arabian Sea. The ship's visit, board, search and seizure team discovered approximately 600 pounds, or 275 kilograms, of suspected heroin aboard the vessel. The narcotics were seized as part of Combined Task Force 150 operations intended to disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations using regional maritime routes for illicit trafficking.

During February 2021, PHILIPPINE SEA continued operations in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, conducting surveillance, maritime security patrols and replenishment operations. On February 26, the cruiser arrived at Bahrain following the detection of COVID-19 cases among the crew. The port visit allowed medical personnel to conduct testing, implement isolation measures and provide treatment while the Navy coordinated the response to the outbreak. During the visit, numerous crew members received their first COVID-19 vaccinations.

On March 21, 2021, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Bahrain and resumed operations in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. The cruiser subsequently began her return voyage toward the Red Sea and Mediterranean. During the final portion of the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and proceeded toward the Suez Canal. The transit occurred during the aftermath of the grounding of the container ship EVER GIVEN, which had blocked the canal from March 23 to 29 and caused extensive delays to international shipping. PHILIPPINE SEA subsequently transited the canal northbound on April 3. After entering the Mediterranean Sea, PHILIPPINE SEA visited Souda Bay, Crete, in early April and proceeded toward the Strait of Gibraltar. The cruiser subsequently stopped at Rota, Spain, before beginning the Atlantic crossing. On April 21, 2021, PHILIPPINE SEA returned to Naval Station Mayport, completing an approximately eight-month deployment.

During the deployment, the cruiser traveled nearly 60,000 nautical miles and completed eighteen transits of the Strait of Hormuz. She conducted maritime security and interdiction operations, supported regional air-defense coordination and participated in multinational exercises. The embarked helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48 accumulated more than 950 flight hours, supporting maritime surveillance, reconnaissance and security operations. PHILIPPINE SEA also participated in coordinated activities with Standing NATO Maritime Group One during the Sixth Fleet portion of the deployment.

Following her return, PHILIPPINE SEA prepared for a change of homeport from Mayport to Norfolk. On June 4, 2021, the cruiser departed Mayport for the final time as a homeported unit and proceeded north along the Atlantic coast. On June 10, 2021, PHILIPPINE SEA arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, completing her homeport change. The relocation was part of an Atlantic Fleet realignment intended to improve maintenance support and the operational availability of surface combatants.

During August 2021, PHILIPPINE SEA entered an extended Selected Restricted Availability at Marine Hydraulics Industries in Norfolk. The maintenance period included repairs and preservation of the hull, machinery, propulsion equipment, electrical installations and combat systems. The availability continued into 2022 as shipyard personnel and the crew completed maintenance, inspections and equipment testing. Following completion of the work, PHILIPPINE SEA resumed sea trials and operational evaluations.

On April 8, 2022, Captain Michelle M. Nakamura relieved Captain Kevin J. Hoffman as commanding officer during a ceremony at Norfolk. The cruiser subsequently continued preparations for returning to operational service. In October 2022, PHILIPPINE SEA completed an extended maintenance period and conducted sea trials and operational training. Further exercises and readiness evaluations continued during the closing months of the year. On January 31, 2023, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Norfolk for training in the Virginia Capes operating area. During this period, the cruiser was redirected to support a national security operation off the coast of South Carolina.

On February 4, 2023, a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter shot down a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon over American territorial waters off South Carolina. The balloon had crossed the continental United States and attracted considerable political and military attention because of concerns over Chinese intelligence collection. PHILIPPINE SEA participated in the subsequent surveillance and recovery operation alongside USS CARTER HALL (LSD 50), USS OSCAR AUSTIN (DDG 79) and units of the U.S. Coast Guard. USS CARTER HALL served as the principal recovery ship, supporting divers and salvage personnel involved in locating and recovering the balloon's debris.

PHILIPPINE SEA and USS OSCAR AUSTIN provided surveillance and support during the operation, helping maintain security around the recovery area. The operation also involved Navy explosive ordnance disposal personnel, Coast Guard vessels and aircraft, and other federal agencies. Following completion of her assignment, PHILIPPINE SEA returned to Norfolk and resumed training and preparations for deployment with the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group.

During the spring and summer of 2023, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training, Composite Training Unit Exercise and other readiness evaluations. The exercises included air-defense coordination, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and integrated carrier operations.

On October 13, 2023, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Norfolk with USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) for a deployment with the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group. The aircraft carrier departed Norfolk the following day. The deployment began shortly after the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, which triggered a major escalation of conflict in the Middle East. The United States initially directed additional naval forces toward the eastern Mediterranean to deter a wider regional conflict and support American military commitments.

After crossing the Atlantic, PHILIPPINE SEA entered the Mediterranean Sea and participated in exercises and operations with American and NATO forces. The cruiser subsequently proceeded through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea as the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group was redirected toward the Middle East. During the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA operated with other American surface combatants, including USS GRAVELY, USS MASON (DDG 87), USS LABOON (DDG 58) and USS THOMAS HUDNER (DDG 116), as American naval forces responded to growing attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Beginning in November 2023, the Houthi movement in Yemen launched missiles, drones and other weapons against commercial vessels and naval forces in the region. The attacks disrupted international shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the southern Red Sea, prompting the United States and several partner nations to establish additional maritime security measures. PHILIPPINE SEA participated in the American naval response, supporting air-defense surveillance, maritime security patrols and the protection of shipping routes. The cruiser operated under the U.S. Fifth Fleet as part of the multinational effort to defend commercial vessels and maintain freedom of navigation.

In December 2023, the United States and partner nations established Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational maritime security initiative intended to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. PHILIPPINE SEA supported these activities while maintaining its role as an air-defense and strike warfare platform within the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group. On January 12, 2024, American and British forces began coordinated strikes against Houthi military facilities in Yemen following repeated attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels. The targets included missile launch facilities, radar installations, drone infrastructure and other military sites associated with the attacks.

PHILIPPINE SEA participated in the opening strikes, launching Tomahawk land-attack missiles against designated targets in Yemen. The operation involved coordinated missile and aircraft attacks by American and British forces, with additional support from partner nations. During the following months, PHILIPPINE SEA continued operations in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters, supporting American maritime security activities and additional strikes against Houthi military targets. Her responsibilities included air-defense surveillance, the protection of the carrier strike group and coordination with other American and coalition naval forces.

The cruiser also conducted extensive replenishment operations at sea, receiving fuel and supplies from Military Sealift Command ships, including USNS SUPPLY (T-AOE 6). These operations allowed American naval forces to maintain an extended presence in the region despite continuing threats and limited opportunities for port visits. On June 13, 2024, the Palau-flagged, Ukrainian-owned and Polish-operated bulk carrier VERBENA was struck by two anti-ship cruise missiles launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen while sailing through the Gulf of Aden. The attacks caused damage and fires aboard the vessel, and one civilian crew member was seriously injured.

A helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74, operating from PHILIPPINE SEA, conducted a medical evacuation of the injured seaman. The casualty was transported to a nearby partner-nation warship for further medical attention. The remaining crew initially continued efforts to control the fire before subsequently abandoning the merchant vessel.

A separate maritime emergency occurred during the same period following a Houthi attack against the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier TUTOR. On June 12, 2024, the vessel was struck by an unmanned explosive surface craft while operating in the southern Red Sea. The attack caused extensive damage and flooding in the engine room, leaving the ship disabled. One crew member was reported missing.

On June 15, 2024, American naval forces conducted a rescue operation involving the surviving members of the TUTOR crew. An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 transferred twenty-four civilian mariners from the damaged merchant ship to PHILIPPINE SEA. From the cruiser, helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 7 transported the rescued mariners to USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, where medical personnel examined them and provided assistance. The survivors were subsequently transferred ashore for further care.

Following the rescue operations, PHILIPPINE SEA continued maritime security duties in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. During June, the cruiser conducted further replenishment operations and subsequently began her return voyage toward the Mediterranean. On June 22, 2024, PHILIPPINE SEA transited the Suez Canal northbound. After entering the Mediterranean, the cruiser proceeded to Souda Bay, Crete, where she remained from June 25 to 29, moored alongside USS GRAVELY. During the final portion of the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA participated in coordinated exercises and maritime operations with American and allied naval forces before crossing the Strait of Gibraltar and beginning her return voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. On July 14, 2024, PHILIPPINE SEA returned to Naval Station Norfolk, completing a nine-month deployment.

Following her return, PHILIPPINE SEA entered a period of post-deployment maintenance, weapons offloading and operational inspections. During August, the cruiser conducted ammunition handling at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown before returning to Norfolk. During the remainder of 2024, PHILIPPINE SEA conducted local operations and preparations for another assignment. Despite her approaching retirement, the Navy selected the cruiser for a final operational deployment to the U.S. Fourth Fleet area of responsibility.

On January 20, 2025, PHILIPPINE SEA departed Naval Station Norfolk for a final deployment to the Caribbean and Central American region. The deployment was conducted under the U.S. Southern Command and Fourth Fleet and involved maritime security operations, counter-narcotics patrols and theater security cooperation with regional partner nations. The cruiser was assigned to support Joint Interagency Task Force South, which coordinates American military and law-enforcement efforts to detect and disrupt illegal drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea, eastern Pacific and surrounding maritime approaches.

PHILIPPINE SEA's missions included maritime surveillance, monitoring shipping routes and supporting multinational efforts to counter illicit trafficking. The deployment also provided opportunities for professional exchanges and cooperation with regional maritime authorities.

After initially departing Norfolk, PHILIPPINE SEA returned briefly for repairs before resuming her scheduled operations. During February 2025, the cruiser also conducted a short visit to Naval Station Mayport, her former homeport, before continuing the final portion of her assignment. On February 28, 2025, PHILIPPINE SEA returned to Naval Station Norfolk, completing her final operational deployment after nearly thirty-six years of commissioned service. Following completion of the deployment, PHILIPPINE SEA entered her final inactivation period at Norfolk. The work included the removal of ammunition and operational equipment, deactivation of combat systems, preservation of machinery and preparations for transfer to the inactive fleet.

During the spring and summer of 2025, shipyard personnel and the remaining crew secured shipboard equipment and systems as the Navy completed the administrative and technical requirements for retirement. The cruiser remained at Naval Station Norfolk while the inactivation process continued. On September 25, 2025, USS PHILIPPINE SEA held her decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, marking the conclusion of more than thirty-six years of commissioned service. The ceremony was attended by former crew members, commissioning crew members, naval personnel and guests associated with the ship's history.

Admiral James W. Kilby, Vice Chief of Naval Operations and a former member of the ship's crew, delivered the principal address. Captain Steven L. Liberty, who had assumed command in February 2024, served as the cruiser's final commanding officer and supervised the final stages of her inactivation. The cruiser had received eight Battle Effectiveness Awards, three Navy Unit Commendations and three Meritorious Unit Commendations during her service. Her operational history included Tomahawk combat launches against targets in Iraq, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen, as well as extensive air-defense and maritime security operations.

Following the decommissioning ceremony, PHILIPPINE SEA was formally removed from active naval service and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on September 30, 2025. On October 20, 2025, the former USS PHILIPPINE SEA departed Naval Station Norfolk under tow by the tug MARY EMMA, bound for the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The former cruiser was transferred to the inactive fleet for lay-up pending a decision on her final disposition.

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USS PHILIPPINE SEA Patch Gallery:

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USS PHILIPPINE SEA Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by me and show the PHILIPPINE SEA at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., on July 31, 2000.

The photos below were taken by me and show the USS PHILIPPINE SEA at Kiel, Germany, after her participation in BALTOPS 2011. The photos show the ship arriving at Kiel on June 17, 2011; at the Naval Base on June 18 and 19; and finally departing Kiel on June 20, 2011.

			Click here for more photos.

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the PHILIPPINE SEA undergoing a pierside Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., on April 28, 2015.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PHILIPPINE SEA at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., on October 13, 2016.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PHILIPPINE SEA at Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth, UK, on July 28, 2017, in preparation for Exercise Saxon Warrior 17. The PHILIPPINE SEA looks relatively worn but at the time the photos were taken, she was already deployed for a little more than 6 months.

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the PHILIPPINE SEA at the Marine Hydraulics Industries (MHI) Ship Repair & Services shipyard at Norfolk, Va., on December 26, 2021.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PHILIPPINE SEA at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on September 6, 2022.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PHILIPPINE SEA at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 9, 2023.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PHILIPPINE SEA at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 4, 2024.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PHILIPPINE SEA already stripped of equipment and sensors in preparation for decommissioning at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on May 31, 2025.

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