USS Antietam was commissioned in Baltimore, Maryland on June 6, 1987. The guided-missile cruiser then steamed through the Panama Canal to her first homeport in Long Beach, California.

Antietam's initial deployment, beginning in Sept. 1988, took her to the Arabian Gulf where she escorted Kuwaiti tankers as part of Operation Earnest Will. Following the ship's first full competitive cycle, she was awarded the Battle "E" and the LAMPS MK III Safety Award.

CG 54 Departed on its second deployment in June 1990. A full schedule of Pacific operations was cut short by the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on Aug. 2. USS Antietam entered the Arabian Gulf on 6th, and assumed duties as Anti-Air Warfare Commander for Middle East Force, serving during the early turbulent days of Operation Desert Shield. For her second deployment, she was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and the Southwest Asia Defense Medal. She also received another Battle "E" and the Spokane Trophy for Combat Systems Excellence.

In Jan. 1992, the Antietam again deployed to western Pacific, this time for a series of bilateral exercises with regional allies. The guided-missile cruiser conducted joint operations with the Japanese, Singapore and Brunei Navies, and visited ten cities in eight countries.

USS Antietam departed in February 1994 on her fourth underway period, again to the Arabian Gulf. She participated in Operation Southern Watch and hosted many ambassadors and diplomats in the Gulf and Australia. Returning from deployment, she completed her first regular overhaul in Long Beach, and in late 1995, she switched homeports to San Diego, California.

In May and June 1996, CG 54 participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC '96) Exercise, which included numerous U.S. and foreign naval units in the largest naval exercise ever.

In April 1997, USS Antietam returned from the Arabian Gulf, completing her fifth deployment, this time with the USS Kitty Hawk Battle Group. She participated in Operations Southern Watch and Vigilent Sentinel, and conducted exercises with the English, French, and South Korean Navies.

During June 1998 she participated in a second Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. Later that year she deployed for the sixth time to the western Pacific, making port calls in Singapore, Thailand, Bahrain, The United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Australia before returning home to San Diego in May 1999.

In May of 2000 USS Antietam participated in a Counter-Narcotics deployment aimed at stemming the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. The highly successful four-month deployment set new standards for counter drug operations and provided the crew with port visits to Mazatlan, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas.

In February 2001, USS Antietam underwent the three-week long intensive pre-deployment workup COMPTUEX. In April the guided-missile cruiser went through INSURV and successfully completed both the underway portion and the open and inspect phase.

In May, CG 54 took part in the Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) as part of the Carl Vinson (CVN 70) battle group. They deployed on July 26. The first stop of the deployment was Lualualei, Hawaii, home of Pearl Harbor's Naval Magazine where USS Antietam completed her ammunition onload with the addition of Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles. Following this, the ship proceeded to Singapore and then to Phuket, Thailand. On the way to Singapore, she participated in a PASSEX with the Royal Singaporean Navy.

USS Antietam was transiting with the Vinson battle group to the Arabian Gulf when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States took place. The BG immediately took station in the North Arabian Sea, prepared for action. On 15th the Antietam and O'Kane (DDG 77) were detached to transit through the Strait of Hormuz to conduct Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the North Arabian Gulf, enforcing United Nations sanctions imposed on Iraq. Antietam's two Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) teams inspected over 125 vessels for contraband oil and other cargo entering or leaving Iraq.

The guided-missile cruiser was designated to provide air defense for the annual meeting of the World Trade Organization held in Quatar in November. During this time, it operated in a Modified Location box with the USS Pelielu Amphibious Ready Group. CG 54 was detached to proceed to Mumbai, India, on Nov. 17. During the transit through the Strait of Hormuz it was turned around to assist with the Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts as a result of the loss of two crewmembers from USS Peterson (DD 969). It departed Mumbai, India, after a three-day port visit and procceded to Singapore Dec. 18.

January 15, 2003 USS Antietam departed San Diego to conduct final preparation off the coast of southern California, for the upcoming deployment with the USS Carl Vinson Battle Group.

March 14, CG 54 pulled to Pusan, Republic of Korea, for a port visit in conjunction with the commencement of Exercise Foal Eagle that began March 4 and will continue through April 2. Foal Eagle is an annual joint and combined field training and maritime exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) armed forces.

June 26, The Aegis-based cruiser pulled to Singapore for a sheduled port call.

September 14, USS Antietam returned to Naval Station San Diego after a eight-month deployment in the western Pacific. During an extended underway period she also visited Fremantle July 9, Perth July 14, and Hong Kong Aug. 6.

February 1, 2005 USS Antietam departed San Diego, with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The strike group successfully completed its 12-day Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) Jan. 30.

June 5, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Commodore Steve Gilmore, commander, Task Force (CTF) 58, transferred his flag and his crew of 15 RAN Sailors from USS Antietam to USS Normandy (CG 60).

August 19, CG 54 returned to homeport after an extended seven-month global tour, which included areas such as the northern Persian Gulf, Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Suez and Panama canals.

September 19, The guided-missile cruiser is currently off the coast of southern California participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group Three.

.November 9, USS Antietam is currently participating in the Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) off the West Coast.

January 20, 2007 USS Antietam departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment with the Stennis CSG.

March 27, CG 54 entered the Persian Gulf, with the USS John C. Stennis, to conduct exercises with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group.

April 15, USS Antietam, USS Anzio (CG 68), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77) successfully completed Unit Level Training and Readiness Assessment-Sustainment (ULTRA-S) April 9-14 during their deployments to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

August 8, The guided-missile cruiser is currently participating in Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 off the coast of Guam. The eight-day exercise tests the military's ability to rapidly bring together joint forces in response to any regional contingency.

August 20, CG 54 pulled to Pearl Harbor for a brief call before returning to homeport next week.

August 27, USS Antietam returned to San Diego after a seven-month deployment in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AoO).

October 1, 2008 Capt. Capt. John B. Uhl relieved Capt. John S. Mitchell III as commanding officer of the Antietam during a change of command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego. Mitchell served as Antietam's CO since Oct. 19, 2006.

January 17, 2009 USS Antietam departed homeport for a scheduled deployment, as part of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group.

February 17, CG 54 pulled to Hong Kong for a four-day port call after completing undersea warfare exercise with the JCSCSG and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

March 3, The guided-missile cruiser departed Kagoshima, Japan, after a four-day port visit.

May 28, The Antietam arrived in Pearl Harbor for a one-week port visit.

June 26, USS Antietam completed its participation in the largest joint training exercise, Northern Edge 2009, in the Gulf of Alaska.

October 22, 2010 Capt. Robert P. Tortora relieved Capt. Capt. John B. Uhl I as CO of the CG 54 during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego.

December 9, USS Antietam recently returned to homeport after conducting sea trials completing the year-long modernization period at the BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair facility as part of the Navy's Cruiser Modernization program.

October 8, 2011 The guided-missile cruiser recently pulled into San Francisco to participate in Fleet Week festivities.