USS MOBILE BAY
CG 53
  
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The Mobile Bay (CG 53) is the U.S. Navy's 9th Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and was named for the naval Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War in 1864. The keel was laid down by the Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation at Pascagoula, Mississippi, on June 6, 1984; launched on August 22, 1985; and christened on October 12, 1985. Capt. Frank R. Whalen is the prospective commanding officer.

February 21, 1987 USS Mobile Bay was commissioned during a ceremony at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile, Ala.

March 8, The Mobile Bay arrived at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for a three-week Refresher Training (REFTRA); Port call to Port Everglades, Fla., from April 2-6; Ammo onload at Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C., from April 7-16.

April 17, USS Mobile Bay arrived in its homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for the first time; Underway for shock trials on May 14; Inport Port Canaveral, Fla., from May 18- June 16.

June 26, The guided-missile cruiser arrived at Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., for a post shock availability; Brief stop in Mayport to refuel on July 29; Inport Naval Station Norfolk, Va., from July 31- Aug. 3; Magnetic deperming at Lambert's Point, Va., from Aug. 3-5.

August 6, The Mobile Bay anchored off Annapolis, Md., for a four-day visit in conjunction with the annual Parents Weekend; Ammo onload at NWS Charleston from Aug. 12-14; Returned home on Aug. 15.

September 8, CG 53 departed Mayport for a Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) in the Underwater Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range off Andros Island, Bahamas, and Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility (AFWTF) range off Puerto Rico; Inport Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, P.R., to refuel from Sept. 14-15 and Sept. 18-21.

September 25, USS Mobile Bay anchored off the coast of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin islands, for a three-day visit; Port calls to Roosevelt Roads (Sept. 29-30) and Nassau, Bahamas, (Oct. 2-6); Returned to homeport on Oct. 8; Underway for routine training from Oct. 26-30 and Nov. 18-19; Underway for a Dependent's Day Cruise on Nov. 19; Underway for final contract trials on Dec. 1.

January 15, 1988 USS Mobile Bay entered the Ingalls shipyard for a two-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA); Returned to Mayport on March 17; Underway for REFTRA at Guantanamo Bay from April 17- May 17.

July 15, Capt. David S. Bill, III relieved Capt. Frank R. Whalen as CO of the Mobile Bay.

August 24, CG 53 departed Naval Station Mayport to participate in NATO exercise Teamwork; Port visit to Kristiansend, Norway, from Sept. 25-29; Returned home on Oct. 12 after a two-day delay due to storm evasion; underway for FLEETEX 2-89 from Nov. 4-23; Port call to Roosevelt Roads from Nov. 15-19; Underway for Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) from Dec. 7-9.

From February 8-27, 1989, the Mobile Bay was underway for the seconds phase of Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX).

May 11, 1989 USS Mobile Bay, with an embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 44 Det. 7, departed Naval Station Mayport for its maiden deployment as part of the USS America (CV 66) Battle Group.

May 24, The Mobile Bay arrived in Malaga, Spain, for a five-day port visit.

June 3, The guided-missile cruiser anchored off the coast of Benidorm, Spain, for a six-day port call; Participated in exercise National Week from June 9-14; Inport Haifa, Israel, from June 19-23; Transited Suez Canal on June 24; Operated in the Gulf of Oman through July 9.

July 18, USS Mobile Bay arrived in Diego Garcia for a three-day upkeep after participating in Weapons Week exercises.

July 27, CG 53 anchored off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, for a five-day port visit; Arrived in North Arabian Sea on Aug. 8; Port call to Muscat, Oman, from Aug. 14-17; Returned to Mediterranean on Sept. 5.

September 6, The Mobile Bay supported the evacuation of U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon; Port visit to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from Sept. 9-12; Inport Naval Station Newport , R.I., from Sept. 22-25 to embark PBE members for OPPE.

September 29, USS Mobile Bay returned to homeport after four-and-a-half month deployment in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

November 12, USS Mobile Bay arrived in Houston, Texas, for a six-day port visit in conjunction with the 75th Anniversary of the Port of Houston; Returned home on Nov. 22.

December 2, The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Bridgetown, Barbados, for a three-day port visit; Conducted Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS) qualifications off Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, from Dec. 6-8; Participated in Anti Submarine Warfare Exercise (ASWEX) ar St. Croix acoustic range from Dec. 9-12; Returned home on Dec. 15.

May 25, 1990 Capt. Stephen R. Woodall relieved Capt. David S. Bill, III as commanding officer of CG 53.

In June, USS Mobile Bay shifted homeports from Mayport, Florida, to Yokosuka, Japan.

August ?, USS Mobile Bay departed Naval Base Yokosuka for a surge Middle East deployment.

In early January 1991, the Mobile Bay moored alongside USS Acadia (AD 42), anchored off Masirah, Oman, for a four-day upkeep; Entered the Arabian Gulf on Jan. 11.

From January 18-20, USS Mobile Bay launched 22 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs), from the station in the NAG, in support of Operation Desert Storm.

From Jan. 21 through March 11, CG 53 acted as Anti-Surface Warfare Air Control Unit in the North Arabian Gulf, detecting and destroying 38 Iraq's naval vessels.

On Feb. 14, the Mobile Bay assumed duties as Battle Force Anti-Air Warfare Commander and on Feb. 15 become the first ship to control a four-carrier Task Force.

April 15, USS Mobile Bay returned to homeport after an eight-month combat deployment in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

June 21, The Mobile Bay arrived in the vicinity of 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; Returned home on July 1; In August, the cruiser arrived in Guam to offload ammunition.

September 1, USS Mobile Bay entered the dry-dock at Yokosuka Naval Shipyard for a two-month Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA); Underway on Dec. 6; Brief stop in Subic Bay for ammo onload on Dec. 12 before conducting operations with the USS Independence (CV 62) BG off the coast of Okinawa; Returned to Yokosuka on Dec. 20.

February 10, 1992 The guided-missile cruiser departed Naval Base Yokosuka in support of carrier qualifications for USS Independence. In mid-March, the Batthe Group arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines, to assist in the transfer of materials before the closure of U.S. Naval Station Subic Bay and Naval Air Station Cubi Point.

April 15, USS Mobile Bay departed homeport for a scheduled Arabian Gulf deployment as part of the Independence BG.

May 1, The Mobile Bay arrived in Sydney, Australia, for a four-day port visit in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Battle of Coral Sea. Sailing through the Straits of Hormuz in late May, the ship began duties as the Arabian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare Commander. CG 53 also played a vital role in Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of the U.N.-mandated "No Fly Zone" over southern Iraq.

July 6, USS Mobile Bay pulled into Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for its first port visit after two-month at sea.

July 8, Capt. Steven G. Smith relieved Capt. Stephen R. Woodall as CO of the Mobile Bay during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship in Abu Dhabi.

July 27, The guided-missile cruiser arrived in Jebel Ali, U.A.E., for an eight-day upkeep with USS Acadia (AD 42).

In August, USS Mobile Bay visited Ad Damnan, Saudi Arabia, and returned to Jebel Ali for another week-long availability, this time with USS Dixon (AS 37).

In late September, CG 53 anchored off Phuket, Thailand, for a four-day port visit; Port call to Hong Kong from Oct. 8-11 to embark "Tigers."

October 13, USS Mobile Bay returned to Yokosuka, Japan, after a six-month deployment.

In early November, the Mobile Bay departed for ANNUALEX '92, a major naval exercise involving units of the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force; Underway again in December for MISSILEX off Okinawa.

January 15, 1993 USS Mobile Bay arrived in Nagasaki, Japan, for a scheduled port visit.

From March 31- April 2, CG 53 was underway for sea trials after a two-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

May 10, USS Mobile Bay departed Yokosuka to participate in a multi-national exercise Spring Training '93, as part of the USS Independence Battle Group, with the Royal Australian and Singaporean Navies off western Australia; Port visit to Perth in late May.

June 12, The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Darwin, Australia, for a scheduled port visit; Returned home on July 1; Completed INSURV on July 23.

September 21, The Mobile Bay departed Vladivostok, Russia, after a goodwill port visit; Participated in ANNUALEX '93 before returning to Yokosuka on Oct. 15.

November 17, USS Mobile Bay, with an embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51 Det. 1, departed homeport for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

December 1, USS Mobile Bay pulled into Singapore for a four-day port call; Port visit to Karachi, Pakistan, from Dec. 16-19.

December 21, The Mobile Bay entered the Arabian Gulf and immediately assumed duties as Battle force ZULU Anti-Air Warfare Commander ("ZW"), Strike Patrol Platform and Joint Link-11 Coordinator for all alied naval forces; Port visits to Dubai, U.A.E., from Dec. 22-28 and Jan. 7-12, 1994.

January 26, CG 53 moored alongside USS Acadia in Jebel Ali, U.A.E., for a nine-day port call to get tender support services; Brief stop in Bahrain before departing Arabian Gulf on Feb. 14.

February 22, The guided-missile cruiser arrived at British naval base Sembawang in Singapore for a week-long port call to conduct repairs after experiencing the serious problem with the 60 Hz distribution system; Port visit to Hong Kong from March 7-12.

March 17, USS Mobile Bay returned to Yokosuka after a four-month underway period.

April 23, The Mobile Bay underway to participate in MISSILEX 94-2 off Okinawa; Port call to Pusan, ROK, from May 5-9; Returned home on May 11; In dry-dock from May 14-28 to replace the section of steel on the hull.

May 31, USS Mobile Bay departed Naval Base Yokosuka to participate in a month-long exercise RIMPAC in the mid-Pacific involving over 50 warships from five Pacific Rim nations.

June 18, CG 53 pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a four-day port call; Returned home on July 5.

August 17, Capt. Garry Holmstrom relieved Capt. Steven G. Smith as the 5th CO of Mobile Bay.

From Aug. 20-26, the Mobile Bay was underway for routine training in the Okinawa Op. Area; Underway again on Sept. 12, Port call to Hong Kong from Sept. 17-21; Returned home on Sept. 26.

October 18, USS Mobile Bay anchored off the coast of Leyte Island, Philippines, near Tacloban City, to support the commemorative ceremonies for the 50th Anniversary of the General McArthur's landing at Leyte Gulf.

October 22, The guided-missile cruiser anchored in Manila Harbor for a five-day visit to Republic of the Philippines; Port visit to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, from Oct. 29- Nov. 1.

November 5, The Mobile Bay anchored off Penang, Malaysia, for a five-day port visit; Port call to Singapore from Nov. 11-15; Returned home on Nov. 22; Underway for Group Sail operations with the USS Constellation (CV 64) BG from Dec. 6-14; Commenced a three-month SRA on Dec. 15; Tender availability with USS Holland (AS 32) from Feb. 8-23.

From March 21-24, 1995, USS Mobile Bay was underway for sea trials and ammo onload; Departed for MISSILEX on April 11; Inport White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, from April 13-14; Conducted Naval Gunfire Support off Okino Daito on April 14; Port call to Hong Kong from April 23-28.

May 11, CG 53 anchored off the coast of Pattaya, Thailand, for a five-day visit after conducting routine training with the Independence Battle Group, in the Gulf of Thailand; Returned home on June 2; Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on July 7.

August 4, USS Mobile Bay departed Yokosuka for a scheduled Arabian Gulf deployment in support of operation Southern Watch, with the combined detachments of an embarked SH-60B from HSL-51 and SH-60F from HS-14.

August 16, The Mobile Bay anchored off Jakarta, Indonesia, in a formation of over 80 ships from 24 nations, for a six-day port visit, to participate in celebration of 50 years of Indonesian Independence; Port call to Singapore from Aug. 24-28.

September 10, The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., for voyage repairs. Due to port loading, the ship shifted ports to Dubai on Sept. 13 for three more days.

September 27, USS Mobile Bay arrived again in Dubai, U.A.E., for a week-long port visit.

On October 14, the Mobile Bay conducted turnover with USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and transited Straits of Hormuz on Oct. 15; The ship was ordered to return back to Gulf, along with USS Fife (DD 991), on Oct. 16; Anchored off the coast of Manama, Bahrain, from Oct. 18-20; Port calls to Dubai from Oct. 29- Nov. 4 and Nov. 11-14.

November 21, CG 53 anchored off the coast of Patong Beach for a four-day visit to Phuket, Thailand; Port call to Singapore from Nov. 27-30.

December 7, USS Mobile Bay returned to Naval Base Yokosuka after a four-month deployment.

January 8, 1996 The Mobile Bay entered the Dry Dock #6 ant Yokosuka Naval Shipyard for an Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA); Departed dry-dock on May 21; Underway for ammo onload on Aug. 7; Underway for sea trials from Aug. 12-15; Underway for routine training from Aug. 26-29; Friends and Family Day Cruise in Tokyo Wan on Aug. 30.

September 9, USS Mobile Bay departed homeport for a western Pacific patrol as part of the USS Independence Battle Group; Inport Subic Bay, Philippines, from Sept. 20-24; Port visit to Hong Kong from Sept. 27-30; Returned home on Oct. 4; Underway for exercises Foal Eagle/Keen Sword and ANNUALEX on Oct. 16.

November 9, The Mobile Bay relieved USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as the primary Anti-Air Warfare Commander for the Independence (CV 62) BG; Returned to Yokosuka on Nov. 12 to avoid the Super Typhoon Violet.

November 20, Capt. Joseph M. Volpe, Jr., relieved Capt. Garry Holmstrom as CO of CG 53 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

From Dec. 2-13, the Mobile Bay was underway for MISSILEX 97-1 off Okinawa; Inport Naval Base Sasebo, Japan, from Dec. 4-7.

From January 24-31, 1997, USS Mobile Bay was underway in support of carrier qualifications for USS Independence.

February 14, USS Mobile Bay departed Yokosuka, Japan, for a four-month "Southern Swing" patrol; Participated in ASWEX 97-2JA through Feb. 26; Inport Apra Harbor, Guam, from Feb. 26-28; Participated in MISSILEX off Farallon de Medinilla Island, approximately 45 n.m. northeast from Saipan, from March 1-2.

March 26, The Mobile Bay moored at Garden Island Naval Facility in Sydney, Australia, for a week-long port visit after participating in exercise Tandem Thrust, at the Great Barrier Reef, from March 10-24.

April 11, The guided-missile cruiser pulled again into Apra Harbor for an 18-day port call for maintanance availability and Engineering Certification Preps; Port visit to Hong Kong from May 27-30; Brief stop in White Beach, Okinawa, from June 2-3; Port call to Sasebo, Japan, from June 4-7.

June 10, USS Mobile Bay returned to homeport after a four-month underway period.

July 1, The Mobile Bay arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, for a four-day port visit; Underway for routine training from Aug. 22-28; Brief stop to Okinawa from Aug. 25-26.

September 5, CG 53 arrived in Otaru, Japan, for a four-day port visit. Returned to Yokosuka on Sept. 26 after participating in ASWEX 97-6JA and exercise Valiant Blitz off Okinawa.

From October 14 through Nov. 14, the Mobile Bay was underway for exercises Foal Eagle '97, ANNUALEX 09G and Cope North 98-1; Port call to Busan, ROK, from Oct. 18-21.

January 7, 1998 USS Mobile Bay departed Yokosuka in support of U.S. Secretary of Defense visit to Singapore; Inport Sembawang naval base from Jan. 13-19; Port call to Hong Kong from Jan. 22-27; Brief stop in Okinawa from Jan. 29-30; Inport Apra Harbor, Guam, from Feb. 5-9; Returned home on Feb. 12; Underway for sea trials after a two-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) from May 6-7; Underway for for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on May 25.

June 1, USS Mobile Bay departed Yokosuka for a Summer Patrol in support of CARAT exercise; Inport Guam from June 5-6.

June 11, The Mobile Bay arrived in Townsville, Australia, for a four-day port visit; Port call to Darwin from June 18-23.

June 28, The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Lumut, Malaysia, for a three-day port call before participating in at-sea phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise.

July 6, USS Mobile Bay anchored off the coast of Sattahip for a week-long in-port phase of CARAT Thailand; Port call to Singapore from July 20-27 for third CARAT exercise; Inport Singapore again from July 30- Aug. 2; Port call to White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, from Aug. 7-9.

August 10, CG 53 anchored off Nagoja, Japan, for a four-day port visit; Returned home on Aug. 15; Underway for Type Training in the Philippine Sea from Sept. 22-23.

September 25, Capt. Edward J. Rogers, III relieved Capt. Joseph M. Volpe, Jr., as commanding officer of the Mobile Bay.

October 12, USS Mobile Bay pulled into Busan, Republic of Korea, for a four-day port visit for Fleet Week celebration; Emergency sortied to avoid Typhoon Zeb on Oct. 15; Anchored off Inchon, ROK, from Oct. 22-26 before participating in exercises Foal Eagle '98 and ANNUALEX 10G; Returned home on Nov. 13; Underway for MISSILEX from Dec. 1-11; Inport Okinawa from Dec. 3-6.

January 15, 1999 The Mobile Bay departed Naval Base Yokosuka for NSFS qualifications and MISSILEX off Okinawa; Port call to Hong Kong from Jan. 28- Feb. 1; Returned home on Feb. 5; Underway for ECERT from Feb. 25-26.

March 15, USS Mobile Bay departed homeport for a Spring Patrol as part of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) BG; Brief stop in Guam before participating in exercise Tundem Thrust '99; Ordered to return to Yokosuka on April 15 for a ten-day upkeep; Underway again on April 26.

In early May, the Mobile Bay visited Singapore to participate in the 1999 International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia; After a port visit to Pattaya Beach, Mobile Bay participated in Cobra Gold exercise, in the Gulf of Thailand, from May 18-23; Brief stop in Okinawa before returned to Yokosuka on June 5.

June 17, USS Mobile Bay underway again, within 25 hours of notification, to calm a fishing area dispute in North Korean fishing waters; Brief stop in Sasebo before a four-day visit to Busan, ROK; Returned home on July 2.

On August 23, the Mobile Bay deployed in support of exercise Crocodilo '99, off the coast of Dili, East Timor. After a four-day operations with USS O'Brien (DD 975) and HMAS Anzac (FFH 150) she was ordered to proced to Darwin, Australia, to prepare for Operation Stabilise.

After a fou-week underway off East Timor, USS Mobile Bay was detached as Commander, INTERFET Forces and visited ports of Singapore and Pattaya, Thailand; Arrived in Kagoshima, Japan, in late October for a goodwill visit before participating in ANNUALEX 11G; Returned to homeport on Nov. 9.

In July 2000, USS Mobile Bay changed its homeport from Naval Base Yokosuka, Japan, to Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

May 25, 2001 CG 53 completed a seven-month Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA) at NASSCO shipyard in San Diego; Arrived at Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, Calif., in late August for a three-week extensive combat and weapons systems groom, followed by a CSSQT and a Joint Theater Ballistic Missile tracking exercise.

September 11, The Mobile Bay was ordered to proceed off the coast of San Francisco, Calif., to provide air coverage.

December 21, U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (CGLED), operating from the Mobile Bay, seized 10.5 metric tons of cocaine approximately 800 miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. The guided-missile cruiser departed on Dec. 14 in support of Operation Caper Focus.

From January 18 through February 7, 2002, the Mobile Bay participated in COMPTUEX; Underway for Engineering Underway Demonstration from April 4-5.

April 10, Capt. W. James Kear relieved Capt. Edward J. Rogers, III as CO of the USS Mobile Bay during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Station San Diego's Pier 2.

April 19, The guided-missile cruiser underway for ammuniton onload at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., before participating in a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX); Completed the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment on June 14; Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on July 18.

July 24, USS Mobile Bay departed homeport for a scheduled deployment, as part of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Battle Group, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; Brief stop in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Aug. 1; Before entering the U.S. 5th Fleet AoR, the ship visited Guam, Singapore and Thailand.

September 6, While flying in support of Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) one of Mobile Bay's SH-60 helicopters crashed in the Arabian Gulf. A civilian television cameraman was killed and four U.S. Navy sailors were injured. The cameraman, from KCBS-TV Los Angeles, was filming a news story on the U.S. 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.

March 22, 2003 USS Mobile Bay launched its first Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

April 25, USS Mobile Bay returned to San Diego after a record nine-month combat deployment. She is the first ship to be a part of Optimal Manning, a directive that was introduced by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), where the crew was reduced by 17 percent.

September 4, Rear Adm. Jacob L. Shuford, Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group (CCDG) 3, relieved of command Capt. Kear due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command." The XO Lt. Cmdr. Joseph P. Naman assumed temporary command of the Mobile Bay.

September 16, Capt. Neal J. Kusumoto relieved Lt. Cmdr. Joseph P. Naman as CO of CG 53.

October 11, CG 53 recently arrived in San Francisco, Calif., for the 22nd Fleet Week celebration.

March 18, 2004 Capt. Kusumoto was relieved as CO of USS Mobile Bay due to "personal behaviour." He was arrested on Feb. 12 on a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge. The XO Lt. Cmdr. Joseph P. Naman assumed temporary command of the ship.

March 28, Capt. Daniel P. Keller relieved Lt. Cmdr. Joseph P. Naman as commanding officer of the Mobile Bay.

June 17, USS Mobile Bay, along with USS Preble (DG 88), departed Naval Base San Diego for a surge deployment to the western Pacific and Central Command Areas of Responsibility (AoR) in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The ships will join up with the USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) that departed San Diego on May 27.

December 17, USS Mobile Bay returned to San Diego after a six-month deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ship spent most times in the North Arabian Gulf providing security for Al Basra and the Khawr Al Amaya oil terminals.

October 8, 2005 The Mobile Bay recently pulled into San Francisco to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration.

March 3, 2006 USS Mobile Bay departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment, with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, in support of the Global War On Terrorism and Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

From March 24-31, USS Mobile Bay participated in annual combined and joint exercise Foal Eagle, that involved more than 70 U.S. and ROK Navy ships and more than 100 aircraft from all services of both the U.S. and ROK armed forces.

April 10, The guided-missile cruiser participated in flight operations with the Hong Kong Governmental Flight Service in the western Pacific Ocean. The HKGFS consists of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, and its primary mission is to provide emergency airlift and search and rescue in local and coastal waters of Hong Kong.

From June 19-23, the Mobile Bay participated in exercise Valiant Shield '06, off the coast of Guam.

July 5, The Mobile Bay departed Pearl Harbor to participate in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. Eight nations are participating in RIMPAC 2006, the world's largest biennial maritime exercise.

August 4, USS Mobile Bay returned to Naval Base San Diego after a five-month deployment to the western Pacific.

October 26, USS Mobile Bay is currently underway for "Leaders to Sea" program.

June 7, 2007 The Mobile Bay, commanded by Capt. Thomas Carney, moored outboard the USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) in Portland, Ore., for a three-day port visit to participate in the Fleet Week festivities during the 100th annual Portland Rose Festival.

November 12, The guided-missile cruiser is currently underway off the coast of southern California, participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

January 23, 2008 CG 53 is currently participating in a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in the SOCAL Op. Area.

March 17, USS Mobile Bay departed homeport for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AoR; Returned to San Diego on Oct. 8.

February 3, 2009 USS Mobile Bay, commanded by Capt. Denny Wetherlad, is currently underway for Group Sail operations as part of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9.

April 19, 2010 The guided-missile cruiser completed its 10-month shipyard modernization availability at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair facility.

July 17, USS Mobile Bay anchored in Monterey Harbor, California, to support the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program established by the Department of Defense (DoD) and administered by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the Naval Postgraduate School. Returned to Naval Base San Diego on July 18.

February 4, 2011 CG 53 departed homeport for local operations as part of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CSG; Completed Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) on May 27.

May 28, Capt. Thomas G. Halvorson relieved Capt. James J. Housinger as CO of the Mobile Bay during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego.

July 29, USS Mobile Bay departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment, as part of the Stennis CSG, in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AoR.

September 4, The Mobile Bay pulled into Port Klang, Malaysia, for a four-day visit to Kuala Lumpur.

January 26, 2012 The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Changi Naval Base for a scheduled port visit to Singapore.

February 27, USS Mobile Bay returned to homeport after a seven-month deployment.

September 1, USS Mobile Bay departed Naval Base San Diego for a surge deployment as part of the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group.

September 30, CG 53 moored at Sepanggar Naval Base for a four-day port visit to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

October 7, The Mobile Bay anchored off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, for a three-day port visit.

November 24, USS Mobile Bay departed Kingdom of Bahrain after a four-day port call; Another routine visit to Bahrain on Dec. 8.

February 1, 2013 The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Jebel Ali, U.A.E., for a four-day visit to Dubai.

March 8, Capt. Timothy J. Kott relieved Capt. Thomas G. Halvorson as CO of the Mobile Bay during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Arabian Sea.

March 13, The Mobile Bay pulled into Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a four-day port call.

April 1, CG 53 moored at Changi Naval Base in Singapore for a three-day port visit; Inport Pearl Harbor from April 21-24.

April 29, USS Mobile Bay returned to San Diego after an eight-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

October 7, The Mobile Bay departed Naval Base San Diego to participate in a Task Group Exercise (TGEX), with the U.S. and Canadian Navy ships, from Oct. 7-11.

November 1?, USS Mobile Bay moored at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair for a six-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

August 22, 2014 The guided-missile cruiser returned to homeport after underway for local operations.

January 30, 2015 USS Mobile Bay returned to Naval Base San Diego after a brief underway off the coast of southern California.

February 23, The Mobile Bay moored at Bravo Pier, Naval Air Station North Island for a brief stop to onload ammunition before underway for local operations.

March 3, Capt. Sean G. McLaren relieved Capt. Timothy J. Kott as the 17th CO of Mobile Bay during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Pier 3, Naval Base San Diego.

March 30, USS Mobile Bay departed homeport for a four-day underway for Group Sail operations.

April 11, CG 53 moored at Berth 2, Pier 7 on Naval Base San Diego after a brief underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Underway again on April 13.

April 13, USS Mobile Bay moored at Wharf 4 in Port Hueneme, Calif., for an 11-day combat systems groom with the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC); Underway for Group Sail and in support of Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX), as part of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CSG, from April 25- May 3; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 3 on May 4; Underway for carrier escort duties from June 15-18; Underway again on June 22.

June 26, The Mobile Bay departed Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., after ammo onload; Returned home on June 29; Underway for INSURV Preps. on July 8; Underway for a Board of Inspection and Survey assessment on July 13; Underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) from July 28- Aug. 27.

December 7, USS Mobile Bay departed Berth 2, Pier 3 for routine training following a three-month Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV).

January 19, 2016 USS Mobile Bay departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment, as part of the USS John C. Stennis CSG-3.

February 14, The guided-missile cruiser moored at Berth 2, Tango Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a three-day port visit.

March 13, USS Mobile Bay moored at Newport Terminal in Mokpo, Republic of Korea, for a five-day port visit before participating in annual joint exercise Foal Eagle.

April 19, The Mobile Bay moored at Berth 2, Changi Naval Base in Singapore for a five-day liberty port visit.

May 21, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 3, Pier 15 in Manila South Harbor, Republic of the Philippines, for a week-long port visit.

June 9, CG 53 moored at Tategami Pier 2E in Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, for a five-day port visit before participating in at-sea phase of a trilateral exercise Malabar 2016.

June 28, USS Mobile Bay moored at Wharf B25 on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for a two-week port visit to participate in a biennial multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC); Underway for at-sea phase on July 12; Moored outboard the USS Princeton (CG 59) at Wharf B25 from Aug. 2-4.

August 11, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet AoR.

September 30, The Mobile Bay moored at Berth 2, Pier 2 on Naval Base San Diego after underway for local operations; Underway again on Oct. 5; Anchored in San Francisco Bay for a brief stop before participating in Parade of Ships on Oct. 7.

October 7, USS Mobile Bay moored at Pier 35 South in San Francisco, Calif., for a four-day port visit to participate in the annual Fleet Week celebration.

October 13, The guided-missile cruiser moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego.

October 20, Capt. James L. Storm relieved Capt. Sean G. McLaren as CO of the USS Mobile Bay during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Pier 10.

November 4, USS Mobile Bay returned to homeport after a four-day underway off the coast of southern California; Underway for ammo offload at the NWS Seal Beach on Nov. 16; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 3 on Nov. 21.

January 24, 2017 The Mobile Bay moved "dead-stick" from Naval Base San Diego to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Continental Maritime of San Diego shipyard for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA); Moved to Berth 6, Pier 12 on July 10.

August 14, USS Mobile Bay moored at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island for a brief stop to onload ammunition before underway for sea trials; Returned home on Aug. 18; Underway again on Sept. 25; Moored at Wharf 311 on NWS Seal Beach for ammo onload from Sept. 29-30.

October 2, The Mobile Bay moored at Berth 6, Pier 12 on Naval Base San Diego; Brief underway for San Diego Fleet Week Sea and Air Parade on Oct. 14; Underway for Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT), at the Point Mugu Test Range, on Oct. 16.

October 26, USS Mobile Bay moored at Wharf 311 on NWS Seal Beach for a one-day ammo onload; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 3 on Oct. 27; Underway for routine training from Nov. 6-9 and Nov. 13-17.

December 1, CG 53 moored at Berth 2, Pier 8 on Naval Base San Diego after a four-day underway off the coast of southern California; Underway again on Dec. 6; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 3 on Dec. 8.

February 6, 2018 USS Mobile Bay departed homeport for a four-day underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Underway again on Feb. 20; Moored at Wharf 4 in Port Hueneme, Calif., for combat systems groom from Feb. 23- March 2; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 3 on March 5; Underway for routine training from March 26-30; Underway again on April 2.

April 2, The Mobile Bay moored at Wharf 311 on NWS Seal Beach for a four-day ammo onload; Returned home on April 6.

April 30, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 1, Pier 7 on Naval Base San Diego after a two-week underway for Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise, as part of the USS John C. Stennis CSG.

May 11, The Mobile Bay moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego after a 10-day underway for Group Sail; Underway again from June 12-13; Day-long underway for INSURV assessment on June 20.

June 26, USS Mobile Bay recently departed homeport for routine training in the SOCAL Op. Area; Moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammo on June 27; Returned home on June 29; Underway again on July 26; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on July 27.

August 1, The Mobile Bay recently departed Naval Base San Diego for a Missile Exercise (MISSILEX) at the Point Mugu Test Range; Commenced COMPTUEX/JTFEX on Aug. 7; Moored at Wharf 311, NWS Seal Beach for ammo onload from Sept. 10-14; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 3 on Sept. 14.

October 2?, USS Mobile Bay departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment.

November 16, The Mobile Bay participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Spruance (DDG 111), as a "show of force" in the Philippine Sea.

November 24, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 6, RSS Singapura for a four-day liberty port visit to Singapore; Transited the Malacca Strait northbound from Nov. 28-29.

December 14, The Mobile Bay participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS John C. Stennis, USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Decatur (DDG 73), as a "show of force" in the Gulf of Oman; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on Dec. 21.

December 22, Capt. Robert T. Bryans, Jr., relieved Capt. James L. Storm as CO of the CG 53, during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship, while underway in the Arabian Gulf.

December 24, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 5, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd, Bahrain, for a six-day liberty visit to Manama to celebrate the Christmas Day.

January 20, 2019 The guided-missile cruiser transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound; Transited the Lombok Strait northbound on Feb. 4; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), in the Gulf of Thailand, on Feb. 9; Inport Laem Chabang, Thailand, from Feb. 10-14.

February 24, USS Mobile Bay conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193), while underway in the South China Sea in support of national tasking; Transited the Strait of Singapore westbound on March 5; Transited Strait of Hormuz northbound on March 22.

March 23, The Mobile Bay moored at Quay 9 in Port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a six-day liberty visit to Dubai; Transited Strait of Hormuz southbound on April 7; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on April 20.

April 24, USS Mobile Bay participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS John C. Stennis, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), HMS Duncan (D37), SPS Mendez Nunez (F 104), FS Languedoc (D653) and USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), while underway off the coast of Tripoli, Libya.

April 27, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 3, Mole H in Port of Marseille, France, for a four-day liberty visit; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound on May 3.

May 20, CG 53 anchored off the coast of Colon, Panama, for a brief stop; Completed the southbound transit of Panama Canal, just after midnight, on May 21.

May 28, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego following a seven-month around-the-world deployment.

July 24, The Mobile Bay recently departed homeport en route to Seattle, Wash., to participate in annual Seafair Fleet Week celebration; Moored at Berth 1, Alpha Pier on Naval Station Everett from July 27-29; Moored outboard the USS Spruance (DDG 111) at Bell Street Cruise Terminal in downtown Seattle from July 29- Aug. 2.

August 2, USS Mobile Bay moored at Pier 1C on Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt, B.C., for a four-day port call; Returned home on Aug. 9; Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on Aug. 13.

September 13, The Mobile Bay moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego after a four-day underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Underway again from Sept. 23-24.

November 6, BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair was awarded a $33,9 million delivery order N55236-20-F-4001 from multiple-award contract (N00024-16-D-4416) for the USS Mobile Bay's Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Work is expected to be completed by October 2020.

January 12, 2020 USS Mobile Bay departed homeport to offload ammo at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach; Moored at Wharf 311 from Jan. 13-17; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Friday afternoon; Moved "dead-stick" to BAE Systems shipyard on Feb. 4.

July 29, Capt. Jeremy Gray relieved Capt. Robert T. Bryans, Jr., as the 20th CO of Mobile Bay during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

October 26, USS Mobile Bay moved "dead-stick" from BAE Systems shipyard to Berth 2, Pier 3 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway for sea trials from Nov. 23-25; Underway again on Feb. 19; Moored at Wharf 311, NWS Seal Beach for ammo onload from Feb. 2?-25.

February 26, 2021 USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 2, Pier 3 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway again from March 8-12, March 22-26, May 17-20 and May 24-27; Moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammo before underway for routine training on June 1; Returned home on June 4.

June 13, The Mobile Bay moored at Berth 2, Pier 3 on Naval Base San Diego after a three-day underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Underway again from June 15-17; Underway in support of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) CSG's COMPTUEX, as part of opposition forces, on June 25; Moored at Wharf 4 in Port Hueneme from July 6-13.

July 13, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway again from July 16-23; Underway for Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2021 on Aug. 3; Moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammo before returned home on Aug. 16; Underway for COMPTUEX, as part of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) CSG, on Nov. 4.

December 3, The Mobile Bay moored at Wharf 311 on Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach for an eight-day ammo onload; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Dec. 12.

December 31, USS Mobile Bay departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment.

December 31, The Mobile Bay moored at Wharf 311 on NWS Seal Beach for a three-day ammo onload; Conducted Surface Ship Radiated Noise Measurement (SSRNM) testing, while underway off the northeast coast of San Clemente Island, on Jan. 3.

January 22, 2022 USS Mobile Bay, as part of the USS Abraham Lincoln CSG, participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) CSG, USS America (LHA 6), USS Essex (LHD 2), and JS Hyuga (DDH 181), while underway east of Okinawa; Transited the Luzon Strait westbound on Jan. 23.

February 1, The Mobile Bay conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), while underway off the west coast of Luzon, Philippines; Transited the San Bernardino Strait northbound on Feb. 2.

February 16, USS Mobile Bay participated in PHOTOEX with the USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Spruance (DDG 111), JS Inazuma (DD 105) and JS Hatakaze (TV 3520), while underway east of Okinawa; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the JS Towada (AOE 422) on Feb. 20; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USS Abraham Lincoln on Feb. 26.

March 3, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 6, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, for a six-day port visit; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Guadalupe, while underway in the East China Sea, on March 17; Transited the San Bernardino Strait southbound on March 22.

March 25, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 3, Pier 15 in Manila South Harbor, Republic of the Philippines, for a four-day liberty port visit; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Guadalupe, while underway in the southern South China Sea, on April 2; Transited the Balabac Strait eastbound on April 4; Transited the Korean Strait northbound on April 11; Transited the Osumi Strait eastbound on April 16.

April 17, CG 53 conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199), while underway in the Philippine Sea; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) on April 18; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Tippecanoe on April 22; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) on April 30; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Tippecanoe on May 14.

May 20, Capt. Brandon J. Burkett relieved Capt. Jeremy Gray as CO of the Mobile Bay during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship, while underway off the south coast of Japan.

May 21, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 6 in Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for a five-day port visit; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6) on May 28; Participated in a PHOTOEX, while underway in the vicinity of Guam, on June 12; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USS Abraham Lincoln on June 19; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) on June 21.

June 27, The Mobile made a brief stop at Wharf W5, Naval Magazine Lualualei before moored at Wharf B25 on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for the in-port phase of a biennial multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022; Underway for at-sea phase on July 11; Brief stop at Wharf W4, Naval Magazine Lualualei before moored at Wharf B25 on Aug. 2; Departed Pearl Harbor on Aug. 7.

August 11, USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego after more than a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

September 25, The Mobile Bay moored at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island to offload ammunition; Moved "dead-stick" to Berth 1, Pier 10 on Sept. 28; Brief underway on Dec. 14.

March 10, 2023 USS Mobile Bay moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego after a one-day underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Underway again on March 15; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on March 17; Underway again from March 30-31; Underway in support of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) CSG's Group Sail exercise, on April 4.

April 10, The Mobile Bay moored at Wharf B25 on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for a three-day port call; Moored at Wharf 311, NWS Seal Beach for ammo offload from April 24-28; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Friday afternoon; Brief underway on May 4; Underway again from May 9-10.