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USS Mobile Bay (CG 53)

- decommissioned -


USS MOBILE BAY was the seventh ship in the TICONDEROGA - class of guided missile cruisers and the second ship in the class equipped with the Mk 41 VLS. The ship held a decommissioning ceremony at San Diego, Calif., on August 10, 2023, and was officially decommissioned on August 18, 2023.

General Characteristics:Awarded: January 15, 1982
Keel laid: June 6, 1984
Launched: August 22, 1985
Commissioned: February 21, 1987
Decommissioned: August 18, 2023
Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding, West Bank, Pascagoula, Miss.
Propulsion system: four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines
Propellers: two
Blades on each Propeller: five
Length: 567 feet (173 meters)
Beam: 55 feet (16.8 meters)
Draft: 34 feet (10.2 meters)
Displacement: approx. 9,600 tons full load
Speed: 30+ knots
Cost: about $1 billion
Aircraft: two SH-60 Sea Hawk (LAMPS 3)
Armament: two Mk 41 VLS for Standard missiles, Tomahawk, ASROC; Mk 46 torpedoes, Harpoon missile launchers, two Mk 45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight guns, two Phalanx CIWS, two Mk 38 Mod 2 25mm machine gun systems
Crew: 33 Officers, 27 Chief Petty Officers and approx. 340 Enlisted


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Crew List:

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


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USS MOBILE BAY Cruise Books:


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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

USS MOBILE BAY's shield, located in the center of the crest, contains a ship's wheel and crossed cutlass and sword. The wheel represents naval leadership on the oceans of the world. The modern ship, crossed swords, and cutlass signify professional expertise and the spirit of the Surface Warfare community from which the ship's officers and crew are drawn. A naval cannon, typical of armaments used in the Battle of Mobile Bay, supports the shield and symbolizes ancient and modern weaponry.

The ships' crest recalls the Battle of Mobile Bay by the silhouettes of the steam sloop USS Hartford and CSS Tennessee. The former was the flagship of Admiral David Farragut's Federal Fleet and the later a ram of the Confederate Navy. The four stars reflect Admiral Farragut's commission as the Navy's first four-star admiral.

The shield's border is made up of a continuous anchor chain signifies a unity of purpose and teamwork; the elongated octagonal band suggests the unique, primary radar associated with the AEGIS system.


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Accidents aboard USS MOBILE BAY:

DateWhereEvents
September 6, 2002Arabian Gulf While flying in support of maritime interdiction operations one of MOBILE BAY's SH-60 helicopters crashed in the Arabian Gulf. A civilian television cameraman was killed and four US Navy sailors were injured.

The cameraman, from KCBS-TV Los Angeles, was filming a news story on the US Navy.

The helicopter had been hovering over a Syrian-flagged vessel to observe a maritime health inspection boarding when its rotor blades hit the ship's mast.


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History of USS MOBILE BAY:

USS MOBILE BAY was built in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries. The cruiser was commissioned on 21 February 1987 at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile, Alabama.

After commissioning, MOBILE BAY joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, arriving at its Mayport, Florida homeport in March 1987. MOBILE BAY received the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet Golden Anchor Award for excellence in personnel retention 31 December 1987.

1988 marked an eventful year beginning with the receipt of the Captain Edward Francis Ney Award for Food Service Excellence as well as the COMNAVSURFLANT Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Award. However, the ship's deployment scheduled for August 1988 was canceled in support of the Iran/Iraq cease fire scheduled for 20 August 1988. On 24 August MOBILE BAY departed on NATO Exercise TEAMWORK-88 and returned to homeport 12 October 1988. MOBILE BAY again honorably received the Commander-in-Chief US Atlantic Fleet Golden Anchor Award on 15 December 1988. The beginning months of 1989 were full of qualifications and certifications for MOBILE BAY in preparations for a Mediterranean/Indian Ocean deployment. On 1 April 1989 MOBILE BAY received the SECNAV Energy Conservation Award. Following a year of crew qualifications, tests and systems trials, MOBILE BAY embarked on her maiden deployment on 11 May 1989. During this cruise, MOBILE BAY earned her first two awards: the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Armed Services Expeditionary Medal, for operations conducted in the Gulf of Oman. 11 May through 30 September, MOBILE BAY participated in operations in the Gulf of Oman as well as the North Arabian Sea. MOBILE BAY received the Sea Service Deployment ribbon on 11 August. On 6 September the ship aided in the evacuation of the American Embassy in Lebanon, and on 30 September MOBILE BAY returned to homeport. For November and December of 1989 MOBILE BAY made U.S. port visits and conducted Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises.

In June of 1990, MOBILE BAY shifted homeports from Mayport, Florida, to Yokosuka, Japan. Shortly thereafter, MOBILE BAY deployed in August 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield, becoming the first Aegis cruiser to circumnavigate the globe. In early January of 1991 the ship distinguished itself by becoming the first Battle Force Anti-Air Warfare Commander to control a four-carrier Task Force. As Operation Desert Shield turned into Desert Storm, MOBILE BAY joined the TOMAHAWK strike, firing a total of 22 TOMAHAWKS at targets in Iraq from 18 to 20 January. From 21 January to 11 March MOBILE BAY, operating in the mine-infested waters of the Northern Gulf, successfully helped in the destruction of 38 of Iraq's primary naval vessels, eliminating Iraq's navy as a threat to the United States. MOBILE BAY relieved USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52) as Battle Force Anti-Air Warfare Commander from 14 February until the end of the war. In May of 1991, MOBILE BAY was ordered to Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, to participate in Operation Fiery Vigil, the evacuation of thousands of people displaced by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. MOBILE BAY returned to homeport July 1 to receive the numerous medals awarded to ship and crew: Navy Unit Citation and the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for heroic action in Desert Storm, 21 Navy Commendation Medals, 78 Navy Achievement Medals, 87 Flag Letters of Commendation, and all crewmembers earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

MOBILE BAY entered a period of inspections before a short dry dock period September-November. In December 1991, MOBILE BAY began work-ups for a spring 1992 Arabian Gulf deployment. On 15 April 1992, MOBILE BAY once again set sail for the Arabian Gulf. En route, the ship and crew visited Sydney, Australia, to represent the U.S. Navy at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Battle of Coral Sea. Sailing through the Straits of Hormuz in late May 1992, the ship began duties as the Arabian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare Commander. MOBILE BAY also played a vital role in Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of the United Nations mandated "No Fly Zone" over Southern Iraq. Returning to Japan in October, MOBILE BAY participated in ANNUALEX-92, a major naval exercise involving units of the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. MOBILE BAY served as the Anti-Air Warfare Commander for a joint U.S. - Japanese flotilla. MOBILE BAY was recognized this successful year by COMCARGRU Five for Excellence in all Battle Readiness Mission Areas.

MOBILE BAY visited Nagasaki, Japan on 15 January 1993 marking the first visit to Nagasaki by a U.S. Naval Ship in several years. In May 1993, MOBILE BAY steamed to Western Australia for SPRING TRAINING-93, a multi-national exercise involving units of the U.S., Royal Australian, and Singaporean Navies. MOBILE BAY also participated in ANNUALEX-93 before returning to Yokosuka to finish preparations for an upcoming Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf deployment.

The first of July, MOBILE BAY received the Block III TOMAHAWK upgrade, becoming the second ship in the fleet. July 19-23 was the first and successful INSURV that the ship experienced. In September of 1993, MOBILE BAY made an historic visit to the Russian seaport of Vladivostok. On 17 November 1993, MOBILE BAY departed Yokosuka for a third deployment in three years. Arriving in the Arabian Gulf a month later, MOBILE BAY immediately assumed duties as Anti-Air Warfare Commander as well as the TLAM strike platform for naval forces in the Gulf. Remaining on station until February 1994, MOBILE BAY completed this deployment on 17 March 1994, returning to Yokosuka.

MOBILE BAY received the 2003 Battle "E" Award. After a short period of dry dock in May of 1994, MOBILE BAY left home waters to participate in RIMPAC-94, a month-long exercise in the mid-Pacific involving over 50 warships from five Pacific Rim nations. Fall 1994 marked the first two occasions of independent steaming for MOBILE BAY as the ship made its way to Hong Kong in early September as well as Leyte Gulf in mid-October. The rest of the year included numerous port visits throughout the Southest.

The year 1995 began with qualifications and work-ups while forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. MOBILE BAY visited numerous ports throughout Eastern Asia and the Persian Gulf before returning home in December 1995. From 8 January to 21 May 1996 MOBILE BAY entered a dry dock period in Yokosuka, Japan. 16 October through 12 November MOBILE BAY participated in exercise FOAL EAGLE, KEEN SWORD, and ANNUALEX; and from 7-13 December 1996 MOBILE BAY participated in MISSILEX 1-97. The ship received the 1996 Battle "E" Award.

Early 1997 marked a busy time for MOBILE BAY as the ship participated in ASWEX97-2 IA, ECERT, NSFS, and other team trainers that led to the ship's INSURV in July 1997. In Fall 1997, MOBILE BAY participated in various battle group operations with USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) as well as FOAL EAGLE 98, ANNUALEXO9G, and ASWEX97-6JA.

In spring 1999, MOBILE BAY sailed three times through the Taiwan Straits during a period of tension between Taiwan and China. In early May 1999, MOBILE BAY deployed to Singapore in order to participate in the 1999 International Maritime Defense Exhibition Asia. In June 1999, MOBILE BAY was dispatched to Korea during the "Crab Wars" over fishing rights between North and South Korea. Also in mid-1999, MOBILE BAY deployed in support of INTERFET operations off the coast of East Timor. On 23 August 1999, she headed south for a series of routine Australian port visits and Exercise Crocodile 99. MOBILE BAY was redirected by Commander, 7th Fleet, and directed to sail toward the waters of East Timor. As the first U.S. forces on the scene, MOBILE BAY was designated as Commander, Joint Task Force Timor Sea Operations (CJTF TSO). During Timor Sea operations, MOBILE BAY performed many missions including guard ship; U.S. armed forces sanctuary; air surveillance; intelligence gathering; Timor ground operations repair efforts; link manager (which provided primary air tracking in support of aircraft into and out of East Timor carrying supplies and troops); and ship escort. Following the East Timor operation, MOBILE BAY visited Singapore; Pattaya, Thailand; Kagoshima and Sasebo, Japan. After the Sasebo port visit, MOBILE BAY in early November participated in the joint exercise ANNUALEX with the Japanese navy.

In July 2000, MOBILE BAY changed homeports from Yokosuka, Japan, to San Diego, California, ending 10 years of 7th Fleet service. MOBILE BAY received the 2000 Battle "E" Award.

USS MOBILE BAY was refurbished in 2001 as one of the Navy's first "Smart Ships" and one of four ships selected to test how well Navy vessels can operate with sharply reduced crews. MOBILE BAY had been nominated for the Navy's "Optimal Manning Project", an early test of concepts to be integrated into the design of DD-21.

On December 21, 2001, a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, operating from the MOBILE BAY seized 10.5 metric tons of cocaine approximately 800 miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.

MOBILE BAY deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2002 as part of the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) Strike Group. MOBILE BAY launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) into Iraq as part of Navy coalition warships supporting Naval Forces Central Command on March 21, 2003. MOBILE BAY returned from this nine-month deployment in April 2003 and subsequently received the Battle "E" Award for 2003.

From June 17 to December 17 2004, MOBILE BAY deployed with the USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and operated in support of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. MOBILE BAY received the Iraq Campaign Medal for her support in the War on Terrorism as well as the Battle "E" Award.

On October 12, 2005 MOBILE BAY participated in the annual Fleet Week Parade of Ships in San Francisco Bay.

USS MOBILE BAY departed for a scheduled deployment March 3, 2006 with the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Strike Group in the Western Pacific. MOBILE BAY served as Air Defense Commander for the Strike Group, and participated in RSOI and FOAL EAGLE with the Republic of Korea (ROK). On April 10, 2006, MOBILE BAY participated in flight operations with the Hong Kong Governmental Flight Service (HKGFS), which operates as an emergency search and rescue and airlift service in the local and coastal waters of Hong Kong. MOBILE BAY also participated in Exercise Valiant Shield 2006 off the coast of Guam June 19-23, 2006.

On July 5, 2006, MOBILE BAY departed from Pearl Harbor to take part in RIMPAC with ships from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom. USS MOBILE BAY received the 2006 Battle "E" Award.

On 7 June 2007 MOBILE BAY participated in Fleet Week during the annual Portland Rose Festival. In Mid-2007 she played a key role in COMPTUEX as part of the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Strike Group in preparation for the 2008 deployment.

On March 17, 2008, MOBILE BAY departed for deployment with the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Strike Group. MOBILE BAY deployed to the 5th Fleet, including the 7th Fleet and 3rd Fleet Areas of Operation, as Air Defense Commander for the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group. During deployment, MOBILE BAY participated in eight U.S. Air Defense, three Allied Air Defense, and 12 LINK Exercises. She returned from this deployment in the Western Pacific on August 4, 2008. The 2008 Battle "E" Award was also awarded to MOBILE BAY.

From June 2009 through April 2010 MOBILE BAY became the second Cruiser to undergo Aegis Cruiser Modernization. This entailed a complete replacement of the AWS computer suite and consoles. It also included new five-inch and CIWS gun systems as well as upgraded surface radar systems.

From June through August 2010 MOBILE BAY conducted a post cruiser modernization CSSQT which included the first successful firing of an ESSM from a cruiser. In addition, in July 2010 MOBILE BAY supported the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program in Monterey, California. On February 4, 2011 MOBILE BAY departed homeport San Diego in support of USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) Strike Group Operations. She underwent Pre-INSURV Assessments followed by INSURV from March 21, 2011 through April 8, 2011 followed by a successful Strike Group deployment that took her through the Pacific and Indian Oceans and on station in the Arabian Gulf. She deployed on the 27th of July, stopping in Seal Beach for ammunition and sailing from CONUS on the 29th of July. MOBILE BAY was notably on station in the Arabian Gulf at the end of U.S. military operations in Iraq on 18 December 2011. As Air Defense Commander for the JOHN C. STENNIS Strike Group, the crew has worked day and night to ensure combat efficiency in all areas as a protector of the carrier. MOBILE BAY played a pivotal role in the air defense of Task Force 50 area of operations while also serving as Maritime RADC and "XW" in support of OPERATIONS NEW DAWN and ENDURING FREEDOM responsible for all air defense operations in the Arabian Gulf, and the Northern Arabian Sea.

On 27 August 2012 MOBILE BAY left San Diego on another deployment to the western Pacific and Middle East. Again assigned to the JOHN C. STENNIS Strike Group, she participated in Operation Enduring Freedom before returning home on 3 May 2013. January 2016 marked the start of another western Pacific cruise when MOBILE BAY left the West Coast in company with the JOHN C. STENNIS Strike Group. The cruiser subsequently served as the group's Air and Missile Defense Commander and participated in Exercises FOAL EAGLE and MALABAR. On her way home, MOBILE BAY also took part in RIMPAC 2016 before arriving in San Diego in August 2016.

15 October 2018 marked the beginning of a world cruise for USS MOBILE BAY. Again joining the JOHN C. STENNIS Strike Group, the ships proceeded to the Middle East to participate in Operations Freedom's Sentinel, Inherent Resolve and Intrepid Sentinel. After operations in the Arabian Sea, JOHN C. STENNIS and MOBILE BAY transited the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean on their way to the U.S. East Coast. While JOHN C. STENNIS proceeded to Norfolk, Va., in preparation for an upcoming overhaul, MOBILE BAY continued her journey via the Panama Canal back home to San Diego where she arrived on 28 May 2019.

In February 2020 MOBILE BAY commenced a Selected Restricted Availability at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair which took until October. After months of training and preparation, MOBILE BAY departed San Diego on a scheduled deployment as part of the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Strike Group on December 31, 2021. Port visits included Pearl Harbor, Sasebo, Yokosuka and Manila. In mid-2022, the Strike Group and MOBILE BAY headed to the Hawaiian Islands to participate in RIMPAC 2022 before returning home to San Diego on 11 August 2022 - the cruiser's final homecoming.

In August 2023 the MOBILE BAY was decommissioned after more than 36 years of service.


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Homeports of USS MOBILE BAY:

PeriodHomeport
commissioned at Mobile, Al.
1987 - 1990Mayport, Fl.
1990 - 2000Yokosuka, Japan
2000 - 2023San Diego, Ca.


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About the Ship’s Name, about the Battle of Mobile Bay:

USS MOBILE BAY takes its name from the famous Civil War naval battle between Union forces under the command of Admiral David Farragut, and Confederate forces, under Admiral Franklin Buchanan.

By 1864, Mobile, Alabama, was the last Gulf Coast port of any consequence still remaining in Confederate hands. The only entrance to Mobile Bay was a channel running between Forts Morgan and Gaines, reduced to a width of 150 yards by Confederate mines and obstructions. Such Southern strategy forced Admiral Farragut to place his eighteen-ship force within easy range of Fort Morgan's heavy guns. Embarked in the flagship USS HARTFORD just outside Mobile Bay, Farragut scrutinized the forts and other bay defenses, sending in small boats by night to chart obstructions and mines.

Admiral Buchanan, the ranking officer of the Confederate Navy, was ordered to Mobile from Hampton Roads, Virginia, following his battle with USS MONITOR. He began to frantically work to organize a fleet in hopes of countering the imminent Union attack. The monitor CSS TENNESSEE had been floated down river to receive armor. Along with the monitor came three small, old wooden gunboats: MORGAN, GAINES, and SELMA. The group of four Confederate ships was all that stood between the Union Fleet and the port of Mobile.

On the morning of 5 August 1864, the Federal Fleet, led by the monitor TECUMSEH, entered the channel. Abreast of Fort Morgan, TECUMSEH veered from its course and dashed at TENNESSEE. When just 100 yards from TENNESSEE, TECUMSEH ran into a mine that exploded and ripped out its bottom. The ship sank almost instantly, its stern rising out of the water so that the propeller was seen turning in the air as it slipped beneath the waves. The battle line broke and ships backed up on one another. With fire from Fort Morgan raining upon them, they tangled in the channel. Then Farragut, lashed in the rigging of the HARTFORD, "damned the torpedoes" and moved into the bay at full speed.

TENNESSEE and its three tiny gunboats moved down to meet them, 20 guns against 200, and four ships against seventeen. MORGAN, GAINES, and SELMA were quickly out-of-action, leaving TENNESSEE to stand alone against the entire Union Fleet.

Farragut's ships converged upon the great ironclad, firing broadsides and ramming it at full speed with their prows. After two hours, TENNESSEE was dead in the water, its steering gone and stack shot away, filling the gun-deck with suffocating heat and flames. Only then did the wounded Admiral Buchanan give the order to surrender. TENNESSEE's colors came down, concluding one of the most important battles in the Civil War.


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USS MOBILE BAY Patch Gallery:

HSL 49 Det 7HSL Detachment


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The photo below was taken by William Chiu when USS MOBILE BAY visited Hong Kong on April 2, 1991.



The photo below was taken by me on July 27, 2006, and shows the MOBILE BAY berthed at Pearl Harbor, HI., after her participation in RIMPAC 2006.



The photos below were taken by me on March 23, 2010, and show the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif.



The photos below were taken by me on March 15, 2012, and show the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif.



The photos below were taken by me on May 10, 2012, and show the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif.



The photo below was taken by Lydia Perz and shows the MOBILE BAY at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair during a six-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). The photo was taken on May 3, 2014.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on December 27, 2014.



The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 2, 2015.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MOBILE BAY arriving at San Francisco, Calif., during the Parade of Ships as part of the city's Fleet Week on October 7, 2016.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning on October 8, 2016, during an open ship aboard USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53) as part of Fleet Week San Francisco, Calif.

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The photos below were taken by Sebastian Thoma and show the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on December 20, 2016.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 11, 2017. Note that she is carrying the Golden Battle E on the bridge bulwark meaning that she has been the recipient of the last five Battle E awards of her squadron. The Golden Battle E is a rare sight in the fleet.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on December 29 and 30, 2017.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on September 28, 2018.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MOBILE BAY departing Naval Base San Diego, Calif., for a scheduled WestPac deployment on October 27, 2018. She is deploying as part of the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) Strike Group.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning during an open ship event aboard USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53) as part of Seafair Seattle on August 1, 2019.

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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on December 28, 2021.



The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the MOBILE BAY at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 10, 2022.



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