USS MISSISSIPPI
- Name: USS MISSISSIPPI
- Ship Class: Unknown
- Ship Number: CGN-40
- Date Commissioned:
- Status:
Ship History:
The primary purpose of the MISSISSIPPI is to provide anti-aircraft and anti-submarine protection to an Aircraft Carrier Task Group. When combined with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, her high speed endurance allows the full capabilities of the task group to be realized. In addition, she is uniquely suited for independent missions because of her combination of essentially unlimited endurance of nuclear propulsion, with the capabilities of the latest anti-air and anti-submarine weapons systems.
The nuclear reactor cores of the MISSISSIPPI will provide power for at least ten years of normal operations without refueling. Because of this, she has the ability to undertake sustained high-speed evasive action, and will have reduced vulnerability, with freedom from frequent replenishment, in high risk areas.
he name MISSISSIPPI has been carried by four ships; the first MISSISSIPPI was a side-wheel steamer, which served as Commodore Perry’s momentous voyage to Japan in 1853. This trip helped open Japan to western trade. The first MISSISSIPPI also participated in the American Civil War.
The second ship to carry the name, MISSISSIPPI, was the battleship (BB 23), which was commissioned on 1 February 1908. USS MISSISSIPPI (BB 23) sailed with President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet.” Upon its decommissioning on 21 July 1914, MISSISSIPPI was turned over to the Greek Government. It saw service under the Greek flag for an additional 17 years.
The third USS MISSISSIPPI (BB 41) was commissioned on 18 December 1917 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. MISSISSIPPI served during World War II, first in the Atlantic, and then the Pacific, theatres of operations. During the war, the MISSISSIPPI earned eight battle theatres of operation in numerous invasions. MISSISSIPPI also took part in the last battle in history to put battleship against battleship. On the night of 24 October 1944, she helped destroy a powerful Japanese Task Force during the Battle of Surigao Strait. MISSISSIPPI was also in Tokyo Harbor for the signing of the Japanese surrender document. She was decommissioned on 17 September 1956.
USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN 40), third ship of the four ship VIRGINIA Class nuclear-powered, guided missile cruisers, was commissioned on 5 August 1978 at Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia. Former President Jimmy Carter presided over the ceremonies.
Over the next three years, MISSISSIPPI performed tests and trials, which every new ship goes through. During this time, the ship also went through its first extended training period at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In August of 1981, MISSISSIPPI made her first deployment. MISSISSIPPI was escorting USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) when F-14 fighters from that carrier shot down two Libyan fighter jets. MISSISSIPPI was also called upon during that deployment to patrol off the shore of Egypt after President Anwar Sadat was assassinated.
In 1982, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, awarded MISSISSIPPI the prestigious Battenberg Cup Award for being the best all-round ship in the Atlantic Fleet. The same year, MISSISSIPPI earned the “Battle Efficiency” Award.
In 1983, MISSISSIPPI received COMSIXTHFLT Battle Force “Top Hand” Award, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, her fourth consecutive excellent in the annual Operation Reactors Safeguards Examination, the Top Hammer Award for top performance in Atlantic Fleet exercise operations, the Old Crow Award for excellence and contributions in electronic warfare, and her second consecutive “Battle Efficiency” Award.
In 1985, MISSISSIPPI earned her third consecutive “Battle Efficiency” Award. This same year, she also received a second Meritorious Unit Commendation for Operation SNAP LOCK.
In 1986, MISSISSIPPI was awarded the Golden Anchor Award for Navy Personnel Retention.
In 1987, MISSISSIPPI received the Silver Star as the runner-up for the Golden Anchor Award.
In September 1987, MISSISSIPPI completed her first overhaul, which included the latest improvements in her Combat Systems Suite, which greatly improved the ship’s ability to fight and win “war-at-sea.”
Following exercises in the Caribbean in 1988, MISSISSIPPI deployed to the Mediterranean from May to November 1989. During the deployment, MISSISSIPPI provided support to Battle Force Sixth Fleet off the Coast of Lebanon in response to the killing of Marine Corps Colonel Higgins by terrorists. In December, MISSISSIPPI received her fourth “Battle Efficiency” Award.
During 1990, MISSISSIPPI completed three law enforcement operations in the Caribbean, and in August of 1990, deployed as flagship for Commander, Multi-National Maritime Interception Force (MIF) during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. She completed the seven- month deployment on 31 March 1991, thus setting the record for the ship with the longest operating tempo in any given period. MISSISSIPPI provided Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) escort services for USS NITRO through the Straits of Bab-El-Mandeb to the Gulf of Aden. Upon completing her escort duties, MISSISSIPPI returned to the Red Sea to launch Tomahawk Cruise Missiles at designated strategic and military targets deep inside the country of Iraq.
From May 1991 until August 1992, MISSISSIPPI underwent a comprehensive extended availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia. During this period, MISSISSIPPI received state-of-the-art New Threat Upgrade Combat Systems Suite, which tremendously enhances MISSISSIPPI’s ability to perform a myriad of Anti-Air Warfare functions. MISSISSIPPI also received Tomahawk and Harpoon system improvements, which increased her strike and Anti-Surface Warfare capability.
From September 1992 – 1993, MISSISSIPPI participated in three Counter Narcotic Operations in the Caribbean Theater. She also was awarded her fifth “Battle Efficiency” Award. From October 1993 – November 1994, MISSISSIPPI served two deployments to the Haitian Theater in support of Operation SUPPORT DEMOCRACY.
In January of 1994, MISSISSIPPI was also awarded her second Golden Anchor Award for Navy Personnel Retention.
Beginning November of 1994, MISSISSIPPI began an intense training cycle in preparation for the March of 1995 Mediterranean deployment.
FACTS
KEEL LAID 22 February 1975 DISPLACEMENT (FULL LOAD)
LAUNCHED 31 July 1976 11,000 Tons
COMMISSIONED 5 August 1978 LENGTH (OVERALL) 585 Feet
SPONSOR – Miss Janet Finch, daughter of BREADTH 63 Feet
the Governor of the State of DRAFT (NAVIGATIONAL)
Mississippi 30.5 Feet
