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General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia Cruise Books About the Ship's Coat of Arms In the News Accidents aboard the Ship History Homeports of USS Vella Gulf
About the Name "Vella Gulf" Patch Gallery Image Gallery to end of page |  |
USS VELLA GULF was the last but one TICONDEROGA - class guided missile cruiser and the second ship in the Navy named for the Battle of Vella Gulf. USS VELLA GULF held a decommissioning ceremony at her homeport of Norfolk, Va., on August 4, 2022, and was officially decommissioned on September 30, 2022.
| General Characteristics: | Keel Laid: April 22, 1991 |
| Launched: June 13, 1992 | |
| Commissioned: September 18, 1993 | |
| Decommissioned: September 30, 2022 | |
| 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 | |
| Armament: two | |
| Crew: 33 Officers, 27 Chief Petty Officers and approx. 340 Enlisted |
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageCrew List:
This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS VELLA GULF. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageUSS VELLA GULF Cruise Books:
back to top go to the end of the pageAbout the Ship's Coat of Arms:
( Click on the coat of arms for a larger version )
The Shield:
The Coat of Arms of the VELLA GULF links the officers and men of Division "Able One" and Division "Able Two," who fought so valiantly at the Battle of Vella Gulf, with the crew that will sail the VELLA GULF into the future. The commissioning pennant recalls the previous ship of the same name, USS VELLA GULF (CVE 111). Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy. The Battle of Vella Gulf occurred in a body of water known as "The Slot" in the Solomon Islands, which is represented by the flaunches in the middle of the shield. The wavy division at top refers to the sea. The six U.S. Navy destroyers involved in the battle are recalled by the six sections comprising the shield, while the four Japanese destroyers, the "Tokyo Express," which were defeated, are suggested by the red discs. Dark blue alludes to the darkness of the nighttime battle. Counter- changing the colors of the shield underscores unity of U.S. Naval components, while the bald eagle characterizes the U.S. victory and naval strength, past and present. The crossed swords embody the synergism of the officer-enlisted teams.
The Crest:
The trident symbolizes sea prowess and the modern weapons of CG 72: The vertical launch, and the AEGIS Systems (anti-submarine, surface, and air warfare). The lightning flashes represent quick strike capabilities and allude to the advantage of radar, which was instrumental to the U.S. Navy victory in the Battle of Vella Gulf. Red traditionally symbolizes courage and firepower. The star commemorates the Battle Star awarded to the previous VELLA GULF for her service in World War II.
The Motto:
The motto is adapted from a favorite military maxim of General Stonewall Jackson, which reads: "To move swiftly, strike vigorously, and secure all the fruits of victory, is the secret to successful warfare."
back to top go to the end of the pageUSS VELLA GULF in the News:
back to top go to the end of the pageAccidents aboard USS VELLA GULF:
| Date | Where | Events |
|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2002 | Mediterranean | While temporarily assigned aboard THEODORE ROOSEVELT, one officer from VELLA GULF was reported missing March 8, 2002. After being listed as missing, a search-and-rescue operation including two helicopters from HS-11 embarked aboard the carrier as well as one helicopter from HSL-42 embarked aboard VELLA GULF was implemented. 24 hours later, the search was terminated without success. On the morning of March 13, the Egyptian navy reported finding a body in the water near Port Sayeed Lighthouse that had identification matching the missing officer. At the time of the incident, THEODORE ROOSEVELT and her Battle Group were transiting the Mediterranean Sea on its way back to Naval Station Norfolk at the end of its 6-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. |
back to top go to the end of the pageHistory of USS VELLA GULF:
USS VELLA GULF commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk on September 18, 1993, then completed post-delivery trials, combat systems qualifications, and shakedown workups in the VACAPES and Caribbean operating areas through 1994, integrating her AEGIS suite, completing live-fire events, and qualifying an embarked LAMPS Mk III detachment. Routine East Coast operations continued into 1995; the ship recorded a short liberty and logistics stop at Port Canaveral, Florida, on January 1-2, 1995, amid training transits. Through mid-1996, the cruiser alternated intermediate maintenance with composite training and air-defense evolutions alongside Atlantic Fleet carrier groups.
On November 25, 1996, VELLA GULF deployed to the Mediterranean and Arabian Sea. She checked in with U.S. Sixth Fleet on December 9, transited Suez shortly thereafter, and entered U.S. Fifth Fleet for Operation Southern Watch support and maritime interception operations enforcing U.N. sanctions on Iraq. The ship's routine comprised air-defense commander and plane-guard duties for transiting carrier groups, picket and radar-track stations in the Gulf of Oman and northern Arabian Gulf, and visit–board–search–seizure (VBSS) support to coalition patrol craft. Logistics and liberty calls followed the established pattern at Manama/Al Hidd, Bahrain, and Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, with brief returns to Souda Bay, Crete, during Red Sea turns. The deployment closed in spring 1997, after which the cruiser reset in Norfolk and completed post-deployment maintenance and certifications.
Following a stateside upkeep, VELLA GULF executed comprehensive sea trials in February 1998, then embarked on a two-month Northern Europe cruise in May-June 1998 to participate in BALTOPS -98 (June 8-19), conducting air-defense, anti-submarine, and maritime interdiction serials in the western Baltic Sea. During BALTOPS, the commander of Carrier Group EIGHT embarked and directed portions of the exercise from the cruiser. After returning across the Atlantic, the ship embarked her helicopter detachment, completed an underway replenishment and a Command and Control Exercise (C2X), and made a port call at Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands, as part of pre-deployment training. In January-February 1999, VELLA GULF hosted Force Air Defense Commander training and completed JTFEX '99, capping a ten-month workup.
The cruiser deployed to the Adriatic Sea on March 26, 1999, joining the THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) battle group during Operation Allied Force/Operation Noble Anvil. Through May-June 1999, VELLA GULF conducted Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile strikes, stood multiple warfare-commander watches (air defense, anti-surface, anti-submarine, and launch area coordination), and maintained a demanding replenishment rhythm while NATO air operations continued. After the relaxation of weapons posture and the close of combat operations, the ship executed multi-ship tactical drills (DIVTACS), additional Tomahawk and gunnery exercises, and returned to Norfolk on September 22, 1999. Weapons offload at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown followed in November 1999.
Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, VELLA GULF operated briefly off the U.S. East Coast in a homeland defense posture, then deployed with THEODORE ROOSEVELT to the Arabian Sea, transiting the Suez Canal on October 13, 2001, for Operation Enduring Freedom screening and air-defense duties before returning in April 2002.
On March 1, 2002, while supporting maritime sanctions enforcement, the cruiser conducted a high-visibility boarding and seizure of the motor vessel LINA in the Gulf of Oman for suspected Iraqi oil smuggling. After European exercises in June 2003 - including BALTOPS 2003 with a port calls at Gdynia, Poland, on June 5; and Kiel, Germany - the ship deployed again with the GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) strike group on January 20, 2004, covering the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Arabian Gulf in Global War on Terrorism tasking, then returned to Mayport later that year. In May- June 2006, VELLA GULF rejoined BALTOPS and, that autumn, integrated with the BATAAN (LHD 5) Expeditionary Strike Group for an early-2007 deployment. From January 5, 2007, she operated in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden, participated in AMAN '07 off Pakistan, and completed port visits at Agadir, Morocco, Gaeta, Italy, and twice at Manama, Bahrain, returning on July 3, 2007. After monitoring increased piracy in late 2008, she assumed a counter-piracy role the following year.
On February 4, 2009, VELLA GULF took command of Combined Task Force 151 in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean, conducting escorts and interdictions along the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor. On February 11, 2009, responding to a distress call from the tanker POLARIS, the ship's team detained seven suspected pirates. On February 12, after a second alert from the Indian merchant vessel PREMDIVYA, the cruiser launched helicopters and RHIBs to stop a fleeing skiff and detained nine more suspects. In late 2010, the ship began a Sixth Fleet ballistic-missile-defense patrol that concluded with a January 15, 2011, homecoming. She deployed again on January 3, 2012, for European BMD and Mediterranean exercises, visiting Sevastopol and Odessa in January 2012, joining Proud Manta 2012 (from February 14) and Noble Dina after a stop at Souda Bay, Crete, on March 23, before returning stateside later that year.
Independent of a carrier group, VELLA GULF sailed from Norfolk on March 14, 2014, entered the Black Sea on May 23, visited Varna, Bulgaria, on May 30, supported Exercise Breeze 2014 in early July, exited the Black Sea on July 15, re-entered on August 6, visited Constanța, Romania, on August 11-12, and departed again on August 26, contributing to NATO reassurance measures after events in Ukraine. In 2016, she called at Burgas, Bulgaria, on July 8 for Breeze 2016 (July 9-11) and anchored off Constanța on August 11 for Romania's Navy Day (August 15).
The cruiser supported a Submarine Commander's Course at AUTEC near Andros Island, Bahamas, on April 24, 2017, then began an eight-month deployment from April 23-24, 2017, that included bilateral training off Morocco on May 5 and a July 24-26, 2017, trilateral exercise in the North Arabian Gulf with Iraq and Kuwait, returning to Norfolk on December 15, 2017.
After workups and maintenance, VELLA GULF sailed for COMPTUEX on January 16, 2020, and deployed forward on February 18, 2020, operating in the central Mediterranean, then the North Arabian Sea by June 13, 2020, with regular replenishments at sea. A fatal ladder-well fall aboard on March 10, 2020, prompted safety reviews. In February 2021, the cruiser departed with the DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) strike group but returned to Norfolk on February 26 after heavy-seas damage caused a fuel-oil leak. Repairs completed in spring, and the ship got back underway April 21, 2021, then deployed to Fifth Fleet, ultimately returning to Norfolk on July 23, 2021. Lifecycle decisions followed: the Navy held a decommissioning ceremony on August 4, 2022, at Norfolk and VELLA GULF was formally decommissioned and stricken on September 30, 2022, and towed to the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, on November 6, 2022, for layup pending disposition.
back to top go to the end of the pageHomeports of USS VELLA GULF:
| Period | Homeport |
|---|---|
| commissioned at Norfolk, Va. | |
| 1993 - 2022 | Norfolk, Va. |
back to top go to the end of the pageAbout the Cruiser's Name, about the Battle of Vella Gulf:
During World War II, many of the important waterways of the war were named more for their significance than their location. Kula Gulf and the surrounding waters became known as "The Slot." This narrow body of water stretching between Kolombangara and New Georgia became the route of the "Tokyo Express" - a group of fast running Japanese cruisers and destroyers which made midnight runs up "The Slot," resupplying the garrison on Kolombangara. This "slot" also became the site of the Battle of Vella Gulf.
The operation began on the morning of 6 August 1943 on board the USS DUNLAP, where the captains of six destroyers met with Commander Task Group 31.2, Commander Frederick Moosbrugger, to discuss the 'Battle Plan.' The group was designed in two division of three destroyers each. USS DUNLAP, USS CRAVEN and USS MAURY comprised Division A-1. Division A-2 had USS STACK, USS STERRETT, and USS LANG. CDR Moosbrugger's plan was to have Division One make a torpedo attack and Division Two to attack with guns and torpedoes when the initial attack was complete.
The Task Group was proceeding in a column formation at General Quarters on the night of the 6th of August at twenty-five knots, when the first report of a radar contact, using the "Sugar George" radar was made. Both the DUNLAP and CRAVEN held contact at 19,700 yards, bearing 351 degrees true from DUNLAP. It was soon determined there were multiple targets on course 180 true at 26 knots. The Commander Task Group 31.2 ordered Division One to prepare to fire eight torpedoes to port. A fourth target eventually appeared on the radar scope, and the formation maneuvered to fire.
At 2341, eight torpedoes were fired as the crew waited for the explosions to begin. "Turn 9" was given by CDR Moosbrugger. At the completion of the turn, the explosions began. The first explosion was soon followed by another ten seconds later, and to the right of the first. Another ten seconds passed before a third explosion even farther to the right echoed in the Gulf.
Rounds of gunfire from the second division followed these explosions. Both divisions closed on the enemy. With two targets sinking, and the other fiercely burning, another round of gunfire assaulted the fourth, remaining Japanese ship. Eighty-seven rounds were fired in total. This remaining ship was identified by lookouts to be a three-stack cruiser, but the extent of the fire precluded any further recognition.
Various torpedoes were reported by the ships of Task Group 31.2, but the enemy's aim was poor, and no damage was sustained. Under threat of an enemy submarine in the area, constant course changes were required over the next hour to avoid torpedo and "bogey" reports.
At 0105 on 7 August, the decision was made to reverse course in hopes of trying to recover survivors. Nets and lines were readied for use, and armed men posted; however, the MAURY's main feed pump crashed. Division One was ordered to retire with MAURY as the guide.
General Quarters was secured at 0359, and friendly air cover arrived three hours later. The Task Group passed north of the Russell Islands and proceeded toward Koli Point.
There were several lessons learned from this engagement. First, destroyers, when correctly handled making a coordinated torpedo attack, are an effective asset in securing sea lanes to enemy traffic. Complete understanding of battle plans by all hands results in battle confidence and success. The element of surprise contributed to the enemy defeat.
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USS VELLA GULF Patch Gallery:
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USS VELLA GULF Image Gallery:
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The photos below were taken by Carl Groll and show the VELLA GULF entering the port of Kiel, Germany, on June 20, 2003.
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back to top go to the end of the pageThe photos below were taken by me during VELLA GULF's port visit to Kiel, Germany, from June 16 - 19, 2006. The port visit marked the end of BALTOPS 2006.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the VELLA GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 28, 2013.
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The photos below were taken by me and show the VELLA GULF departing Faslane in Scotland to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior 14-1. The photos were taken on March 30, 2014.
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The photo below was taken by Steven Collingwood and shows the VELLA GULF at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair on December 30, 2014.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the VELLA GULF drydocked at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in Norfolk, Va., on April 29, 2015.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the VELLA GULF during her Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA) at the BAE Systems shipyard in Norfolk, Va., on October 6, 2015.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the VELLA GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on April 13, 2016.
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The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the VELLA GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on September 21, 2018.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the VELLA GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on December 26, 2021.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the VELLA GULF at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on September 6, 2022 - 13 days before her official decommissioning.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the ex-VELLA GULF laid up at Philadelphia, Penn., on May 26, 2023. The ship alongside is her decommissioned sistership MONTEREY (CG 61).
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