The USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, has returned to Naval Station Norfolk, marking the end of an illustrious career that spanned nearly four decades. The venerable warship, which has exceeded its 35-year service life by four years, is scheduled for decommissioning in September.
Having departed from Norfolk on January 28, 2024, the Leyte Gulf embarked on its final deployment, tasked with drug interdiction security operations in the Caribbean. Over the course of its 3½ month mission, the cruiser played a pivotal role in disrupting narcotics trafficking operations.
Partnering with U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 404, the crew successfully intercepted 4,100 kilograms of cocaine. The operation included the seizure of three vessels and a self-propelled semi-submersible carrying an additional 2,370 kilograms of illicit drugs, leading to the arrest of 15 narcotics traffickers. “Our Leyte Gulf team was ready when called upon to execute all three interdictions,” said Capt. Nathan Diaz, commanding officer of the Leyte Gulf. “The successful seizure of more than $42 million in illicit drugs is a testament to the interoperability of our partner nations, the Coast Guard and the Leyte Gulf team.”
Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander of Norfolk-based U.S. 2nd Fleet, underscored the significance of this milestone, stating, “This is a profound final chapter for one of the Navy’s finest ships, and their crew should be proud of all they accomplished.”
The USS Leyte Gulf has a storied operational history, having been deployed to various global hotspots including the Mediterranean, the Arabian Sea, Somalia, and the Indian Ocean. One of the ship’s notable missions was its response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Alongside the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, the Leyte Gulf sailed to the coast of New York to support defense and humanitarian efforts in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.
Constructed in 1985 and commissioned in 1987, the Leyte Gulf was named after the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in World War II. Since 1997, the warship has been homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, and it has seen generations of sailors come and go. “This ship is full of history. Each period brings its own far-off journeys, along with generations of sailors who have manned the helm,” said Capt. Diaz. “Our last deployment was full of sailors who made their own mark on the story of this great warship. Though our namesake comes from a battle long ago, the U.S. is still performing with a level of combat expertise and professionalism that we’ve always had as we protect the homeland.”
Relevant articles:
– USS Leyte Gulf Returns to Norfolk from Final Deployment Before Decommissioning in September, Military, 05/23/2024
– USS Leyte Gulf returns to Norfolk from final deployment before decommissioning in September, Stars and Stripes, 05/22/2024
– South Carolina governor signs into law ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, Oil City Derrick, 05/21/2024
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