The Leyte Gulf (CG 55) is the U.S. Navy's 9th Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and was named in memory of the World War II Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Pacific. The keel was laid down by the Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation at Pascagoula, Mississippi, on March 18, 1985; and launched on June 20, 1986.

October 11, The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Leyte Gulf was christened during a ceremony at Ingalls shipyard. Mrs. Jane Haes, the wife of Adm. Ronald J. Hays, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, served as sponsor of the ship. Capt. Joseph M. Browne, II is the prospective commanding officer.

April 27, 1987 PCU Leyte Gulf underway for the first time to conduct Builder's (Alpha "A") sea trials; Underway for Bravo trials on June 22; Underway for Charlie trials on June 29; Underway for Delta trials with the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) on July 7.

September 26, USS Leyte Gulf was commissioned during a ceremony at Port Everglades, Fla.

From Oct. 19-21, the Leyte Gulf was moored at Lambert's Point Magnetic Treatment Facility in Norfolk, Va., for magnetic deperming; Ammo onload at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., from Oct. 25-26; Underway for Combat System Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) in the Puerto Rican Op. Area from Nov. 9 through Dec. 21; Ammo offload at NWS Charleston, S.C., from Jan. 18-22, 1988; Underway for final contract trials from Jan. 25-29; Underway for Refresher Training (REFTRA) at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from Feb. 16- March 14; Underway for Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) from March 31- April 1; Ammo offload at NWS Charleston from April 11-12.

April 22, CG 55 commenced a two-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) at Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi; Ammo onload at Charleston from July 19-20.

From August 22 through Oct. 12, USS Leyte Gulf was underway for NATO exercise Teamwork '88, as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Battle Group, in the northern Atlantic Ocean; Underway for FLEETEX 1-89B from Nov. 7-22; Ammo onload at NWS Charleston from Dec. 7-9.

December 30, USS Leyte Gulf departed Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for its maiden deployment, as part of the Roosevelt BG.

January 20, 1989 The guided-missile cruiser arrived in Naples, Italy, for a two-week upkeep; Inport Marseille, France, from Feb. 10-17; Port call to Alexandria, Egypt, from Feb. 24-27.

March 3, USS Leyte Gulf anchored off the coast of Izmir, Turkey, for a five-day port visit; Anchored off Cannes, France, from March 20-25; Inport Augusta Bay from March 28-31.

April 1, The Leyte Gulf pulled into Catania, Sicily, Italy, for a 12-day maintenance availability; Port call to Toulon, France, from April 14-17.

May 4, CG 55 pulled into Haifa, Israel, for a five-day port call after participated in exercise Dragonhammer, from April 20- May 2; Inport Haifa again from May 12-16; Brief stop in Augusta Bay, Sicily, on May 22; Inport Toulon naval base from May 24- June 3; Anchored in Augusta Bay from June 8-10 after participating in amphibious exercise Sardinia '89; Participated in National Week, off the coast of Libya, form June 12-20.

June 30, USS Leyte Gulf returned to Mayport after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

From Aug. 15-16, the Leyte Gulf was underway for local operations; Underway for OPPE from Aug. 21-23.

August 26, Capt. Bob R. Patton, Jr., relieved Capt. Joseph M. Browne, II as CO of CG 55.

From Aug. 28 through Sept. 12, USS Leyte Gulf was underway for Advanced Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 4-89; Port visit to St. Maarten, U.S. Virgin Islands, from Sept. 6-9; Tomahawk Operational Test Launch (OTL) on Sept. 10; Underway for Tail Proficiency Training (TPT) from Sept. 18-28; Underay for UTR and NGFS qualification in the Puerto Rican Op. Area from Oct. 16-28; Port call to Port Everglades, Fla., from Oct. 25-28; Underway for routine training from Nov. 6-10 and Nov. 27- Dec. 1.

December 2?, 1990 USS Leyte Gulf departed homeport for a scheduled six-month deployment with the USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group.

The Leyte Gulf served in the Arabian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where she launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) against Iraq, and served as local Anti-Air Warfare Commander for a four aircraft carrier Battle Groups.

October 7, 1992 USS Leyte Gulf departed Mayport for a scheduled Mediterranean deployment, with the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) BG, in support for Operation Provide Comfort.

January 4, 1993 The guided-missile cruiser departed Toulon, France, after a maintenance availability period with the USS Puget Sound (AD 38); Port call to Naples, Italy, from Jan. 15-17; On station in the Adriatic Sea on Jan. 30.

February 8, The Leyte Gulff anchored off Bizerte, Tunisia, for a two-day port visit; Inport Cagliari, Sardinia, from Feb. 13-17; Adriatic Sea operations from Feb. 18- March 9.

March 12, CG 55 pulled into Naples, Italy, for a 10-day upkeep; Inport Naval Station Rota, Spain, from March 25-27.

April 7, USS Leyte Gulf returned to Naval Station Mayport after a six-month deployment.

April 23, Capt. Paul X. Rinn relieved Capt. Bob R. Patton, Jr., as the 4th commanding officer of the Leyte Gulf.

May 18, The guided-missile cruiser arrived in Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C., to offload ammunition.

May 26, USS Leyte Gulf arrived in New York City, N.Y., for a six-day port visit to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration; Inport Naval Station Norfolk, Va., from June 4-5; Returned home on June 7; Underway for local operations from June 29-30, July 24-25 and July 26-30.

August 12, The Leyte Gulf departed Mayport for counter-drug deployment in the Caribbean Sea; Inport Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, P.R., from Aug. 15-16.

September 7, USS Leyte Gulf arrived in Willemstad, Netherlads Antilles, for a three-day visit to Curacao Island; Port call to Port Everglades from Sept. 24-27; Inport NWS Charleston from Sept. 28- Oct. 2.

October 4, CG 55 returned to homeport after an eight-week underway period. Dealing a severe blow to traffickers, it coordinated several efforts that prevented over 10 tons of cocaine from reaching the United States.

October 20, USS Leyte Gulf commenced a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) while pierside at Naval Station Mayport.

In June 1994, the Leyte Gulf conducted a first successuful OTL of the new TLAM-C Block III, in the Gulf of Mexico; Port visit to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in July.

January 9, 1995 USS Leyte Gulf returned to Mayport after a six-month Arabian Gulf deployment in support of Operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior.

February 21, The guided-missile cruiser departed Naval Station Mayport for routine training; Inport Port Everglades from Feb. 24-27; Returned home on Feb. 28.

March 10, Capt. Coleman A. Landers relieved Capt. Paul X. Rinn as CO of the Leyte Gulf.

April 10, USS Leyte Gulf departed homeport for routine training; Port visit to Miami, Fla., from April 14-19; Inport NWS Charleston from April 21-26; Returned to Mayport on April 27; Underway for local operations from May 30- June 2, June 15 and June 20-22; Underway for counter-drug operations on June 3-; Brief stops to Roosevelt Roads on July 3 and Cartagena, Colombia, on July 11; Port visit to Tampa, Fla., from July 21-26; Returned home on July 31.

August 1, The Leyte Gulf emergency sortied from Naval Station Mayport to avoid the Hurricane Erin; Returned home on Aug. 3; Underway for OPPE Preps on Aug. 8; Underway for OPPE on Aug. 10; Ammo offload at Charleston from Aug. 13-17; Returned home on Aug. 18; Commenced a four-week Intermediate Maintenance Availability (IMAV) on Aug. 21.

September 22, CG 55 arrived in Naval Station Norfolk for a seven-week Drydocking Restricted Availability (DRAV); Entered the Medium Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock USS Sustain (ARDM 7) on Sept. 28; Departed dry-dock on Nov. 13; Returned to Mayport on Nov. 19; Commenced Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on Nov. 22.

From February 14-15, 1996, USS Leyte Gulf was underway for sea trials in the Jacksonville OPAREA. Underway for Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) I from March 25-29 and April 1-5; Underway for INSURV rehearsal on April 10; Underway for INSURV assessment on April 16; Underway for TSTA II from April 22-25 and May 13-14; Underway for TSTA III from May 20-24; Ammo onload at NWS Charleston from July 23-25.

From August 5 through Sept. 6, USS Leyte Gulf was underway for a Comprehensive Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) 97-1A in the Puerto Rican Op. Area; Port visit to San Juan from Aug. 18-21; Underway for COMPTUEX 97-2B in the Cherry Point Op. Area from Sept. 11-20; Ammo onload at NWS Charleston from Sept. 24-26; Underway for Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Battle Group on Oct. 7.

October 14, USS Leyte Gulf crashed into USS Theodore Roosevelt, 100 miles off the coast of North Carolina, as the carrier, without warning, reversed its engines while the cruiser was behind it and slammed into the Leyte Gulf's bow. The collision ripped open the front of the Leyte Gulf and heavily damaged the rear of TR.

October 15, The Leyte Gulf returned to Naval Station Mayport for damage assessment.

November 14, Capt. Charles S. Vogan, Jr., assumed the command of CG 55 after Capt. Landers was relieved as CO of the ship.

November 25, USS Leyte Gulf departed homeport for a scheduled Mediterranean deployment.

December 12, The Leyte Gulf arrived in Barcelona, Spain, for a four-day port visit.

December 23, The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Naples, Italy, for a two-week upkeep; Adriatic Sea operations from Jan. 8-14.

January 17, 1997 USS Leyte Gulf anchored off Antalya, Turkey, for a six-day port visit; Port call to Haifa, Israel, from Jan. 27- Feb. 2 before participating in exercise Juniper Stallion; Inport Livorno, Italy, from Feb. 16-23.

February 27, The Leyte Gulf anchored off Corfu, Greece, for a three-day port visit; Inport Rhodes, Greece, from March 10-15; Adriatic Sea operations from March 17-24.

March 26, CG 55 arrived in Toulon, France, for an eight-day port call; Conducted operations in the Adriatic Sea from April 5-16; Inport Naples, Italy, from April 18-24.

April 28, The Leyte Gulf anchored off the coast of Izmir, Turkey, for a two-day in-port phase of exercise Distant Thunder; Brief stop in Gaeta, Italy, on May 9; Anchored off Bermuda to embark "Tigers" on May 19.

May 22, USS Leyte Gulf returned to Naval Station Mayport after a six-month deployment.

July 27, The guided-missile cruiser arrived in Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., to offload ammunition.

July 31, The Leyte Gulf arrived in its new homeport of Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va.

August 11, USS Leyte Gulf entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a four-month Extended Selected Restricted Availability (E-SRA); Underway for sea trials from Dec. 16-17; Ammo onload at NWS Yorktown from Feb. 18-19, 1998; Underway for routine training from Feb. 25-27.

March 13, The Leyte Gulf arrived in Boston, Mass., for a three-day port visit to participate in St. Partick's Day celebration; Underway for TSTA I from March 16-26; Inport Naval Station Newport, R.I., to conduct school ship training with Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) from March 26- April 2; Underway for TSTA I from April 7-9.

April 10, Capt. Raymond P. Donahue, Jr., relieved Capt. Charles S. Vogan, Jr., as CO of the CG 55.

From April 21-24, the Leyte Gulf was underway for TSTA II in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Underway for routine training from May 12-14; Underway for TSTA II from May 19-21.

May 29, USS Leyte Gulf departed Norfolk for Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) in the Puerto Rican Op. Area; Inport Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, P.R., from June 5-8 and 15-17th.

June 22, The guided-missile cruiser moored at Pier 25 in Port Everglades, Fla., for a four-day visit to Ft. Lauderdale; Moored at Nauticus Pier in downtown Norfolk from June 29- July 6.

July 22, USS Leyte Gulf pulled into Boston, Mass., for a five-day port visit to honor the Bicentinnial of USS Constitution; Returned home on July 30; Underway for local operations from Aug. 10-14.

August 25, The Leyte Gulf emergency sortied from Naval Station Norfolk to avoid the Hurricane Bonnie; Returned home on Aug. 29; Underway for security exercise Mini 98 Phase I from Sept. 14-15; Underway for Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) on Oct. 5; Inport Port Everglades from Oct. 9-13; Returned home on Oct. 15.

From Nov. 10 through Dec. 18, USS Leyte Gulf was underway for COMPTUEX 99-2; Port call to San Juan, Puerto Rico, from Nov. 26-29.

January 19, 1999 CG 55 moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., for a three-day ammo onload; Underway for JTFEX from Feb. 8-24; Ammo onload from Feb. 26-27.

March 26, USS Leyte Gulf departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility, as part of the Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group.

The TR BG was originally slated to deploy directly to the Arabian Gulf to relieve the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) BG, but was ordered by Secretary of Defense Cohen to remain in the 6th Fleet AoR in support of Operation Noble Anvil/Allied Force.

April 7, The Leyte Gulf assumed duties in the Adriatic Sea as Redcroen for CTF-60; Launched its first Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) on April 9; Port visit to Bari, Italy, from April 20-24; Tomahawk strike on April 24; Assumed duties as Adriatic Goldcrown on May 18.

May 21, The guided-missile cruiser arrived in Genoa, Italy, for a four-day port call; Launched the final TLAM's on May 31.

June 11, USS Leyte Gulf anchored off Villefranche, France, for a four-day port visit; Inport Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from June 29- July 5; Transited Suez Canal on July 9; Port call to Manama, Bahrain, from July 22-28; Departed Arabian Gulf on Aug. 27; Returned to Mediterranean on Sept. 3.

Sept. 5, CG 55 pulled into Valletta, Malta, for a three-day port call; Brief stop in Augusta Bay, Sicily, on Sept. 10.

September 22, USS Leyte Gulf returned to Norfolk after a six-month combat deployment.

November 4, The Leyte Gulf pulled into Port Everglades, Fla., for a four-day port visit; Inport Naval Station Mayport from Nov. 9-10; Ammo offload at NWS Yorktown from Nov. 15-16.

December 17, Capt. William H. Dunn relieved Capt. Raymond P. Donahue, Jr., as the 8th CO of Leyte Gulf.

February 5, 2000 USS Leyte Gulf departed homeport for routine training in the Jacksonville Op. Area; Inport Naval Station Mayport from Feb. 18-22; Returned to Norfolk on Feb. 25.

March 14, The Leyte Gulf entered the Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation (NORSHIPCO) facility in Portsmouth, Va., for a five-and-a-half month Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA); Underway for sea trials from Aug. 30- Sept. 1.

October 5, USS Leyte Gulf pulled into Port Everglades for a six-day port call to participate in Broward County Navy Days' Fleet Week; Inport Naval Station Mayport from Oct. 13-15; Returned home on Oct. 20; Underway for local operations from Oct. 30- Nov. 3; Underway for a Friends and Family Cruise to Staten Island, New York, on Nov. 27.

December 1, CG 55 moored at Homeport Pier on Staten Island for a three-day port visit.

January 17, 2001 The guided-missile cruiser departed Naval Station Norfolk for FEP in the Virginia Capes Op. Area.

January 18, USS Leyte Gulf sustained a 6-foot-by-8-foot paint scratch on its sonar dome but no significant damage when it briefly hit bottom off the coast of Virginia Beach. The incident took place while she was conducting electronic calibration trials in the vicinity of Navy buoy "B" near the Chesapeake Light; Returned home on Jan. 19; Underway again from Jan. 29-31.

March 14, Capt. Richard C. Ingraham assumed the command of the Leyte Gulf after Capt. William Dunn was relieved as CO of the ship.

From March 16-21, the Leyte Gulf was underway in the Jacksonville Op. Area for Week One workups; Underway for INSURV rehearsal from March 27-28; Underway for routine testing at Shipboard Electronic Systems Evaluation Facility (SESEF) range from April 12-13; Underway for INSURV assessment on April 17; Ammo onload at NWS Yorktown from April 25-27.

May 1, USS Leyte Gulf departed Naval Station Norfolk for a five-day underway to conduct testing in the Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range, off Andros Island, Bahamas.

From May 31 through July 1, the Leyte Gulf was underway for COMPTUEX in the Puerto Rican OPAREA; Inport Roosevelt Roads from June 9-11; Underway for JTFEX in the Puerto Rican and Cherry Point Op. Areas from Aug. 1-18; Port call to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, from Aug. 4-5; Ammo onload at Yorktown from Sept. 4-6.

From Sept. 12-14, CG 55 was underway with the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Battle Group, in support of defense and humanitarian efforts off the coast of New York, in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

September 20, USS Leyte Gulf departed Norfolk, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

October 13, The guided-missile cruiser entered the Red Sea after a transited the Suez Canal; Conducted operations in the North Arabian Sea from Oct. 17- Nov. 12.

November 14, The Leyte Gulf moored at Mina Salman Pier in Manama, Bahrain, for a two-day port call to onload Tomahawk missiles; Assumed duties as COMISKEY Guard Ship in the NAG on Nov. 18; Conducted Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) in the Arabian Gulf through the end of the year.

March 27, 2002 USS Leuye Gulf returned to homeport after more than a six-month Middle East deployment.

May 22, The Leyte Gulf arrived in New York City, N.Y., to participate in Fleet Week celebration.

September 12, Capt. Thomas F. McGuire relieved Capt. Richard C. Ingraham as the 10th CO of CG 55.

June 30, 2003 USS Leyte Gulf moored at Cobh Cruise Terminal for a scheduled port visit to Cork, Ireland.

January 5, 2004 The guided-missile cruiser moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., to onload ammunition; Underway for Special Operations Capability Exercise (SOCEX) in the Cherry Point OPAREA from Jan. 14-19.

February 19, USS Leyte Gulf departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment, as part of the USS Wasp (LHD 1) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

March 6, The Leyte Gulf pulled into Split, Croatia, for a four-day port visit; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on March 16; Port call to Jebel Ali, U.A.E., from April 2-6; Inport Manama, Bahrain, from April 7-12.

May 14, USS Leyte Gulf arrived in Muscat, Oman, for a four-day port call after supporting Operation Sea Dragon from April 20- May 14; Inport Manama from May 19-21; Provided security for Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) in the NAG from May 21- June 26; Inport Manama, Bahrain, from June 27-29.

June 30, The Leyte Gulf pulled again into Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a week-long visit to Dubai; Returned to Mediterranean on July 21; Inport Civitavecchia, Italy, from July 26-30; Inport Naval Station Rota, Spain, from Aug. 1-5.

August 13, USS Leyte Gulf returned to Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

August 21, The Leyte Gulf moored at NWS Yorktown for a two-day ammo offload.

October 3, USS Leyte Gulf entered the MHI Ship Repair & Services in Norfolk, Va., for a two-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

November 19, Capt. Michael J. Turner relieved Capt. Thomas F. McGuire as CO of the Leyte Gulf.

December 3, The guided-missile cruiser returned to Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for sea trials from Dec. 9-10.

December 5, 2005 Rear Adm. Raymond Spicer, Commander, USS Enterprise CSG, welcomed USS Leyte Gulf and its crew into Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 during a ceremony aboard the ship at Naval Station Norfolk. CG 55 is to be the strike group’s air defense commander, a position formerly held by USS Gettysburg (CG 64).

March 16, 2006 The guided-missile cruiser is currently underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), in preparation for the upcoming deployment with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Strike Group.

May 2, USS Leyte Gulf departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment.

August 28, The Leyte Gulf arrived in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility, following nearly two months of operations in the western Pacific.

September 18, Cmdr. Scott J. Phillpott relieved Capt. Michael J. Turner as commanding officer of Leyte Gulf.

November 18, USS Leyte Gulf returned to homeport after six-and-a-half month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism and maritime security operations.

September 15, 2007 Five shipyard workers were injured, some burned, when the fire broke out two decks below the main deck of USS Leyte Gulf, caused by an accidental build up of lacquer thinner fumes, while the ship was in dry-dock at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair for a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA).

March 29, 2008 The guided-missile cruiser is currently underway for Group Sail operations with the USS Theodore Roodevelt (CVN 71) CSG.

October 12, USS Leyte Gulf departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS).

December 24, The Leyte Gulf recently moored at Las Palmas, Spain, for a port visit to Gran Canaria Island.

January 14, 2009 CG 55 recently pulled into Lisbon, Portugal, for a scheduled port visit.

January 27, The Leyte Gulf recently arrived in Messina, Italy, as a representative of "The Great White Fleet" for memorial ceremonies of an earthquake and tsunami, which devastated the region 100 years ago.

May 11, USS Leyte Gulf returned to Norfolk after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

January 29, 2010 Capt. Eugene H. Black, III relieved Capt. Edward J. Lester as the 14th CO of Leyte Gulf.

January 13, 2011 USS Leyte Gulf departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment, as part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group.

January 29, The guided-missile cruiser departed Lisbon, Portugal, after a three-day port visit.

February 8, The Leyte Gulf pulled into Aksaz naval base for a four-day visit to Marmaris, Turkey.

March 24, SH-60 Seahawk helicopters from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 48 and Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11, embarked aboard the Leyte Gulf and Enterprise, responded to a distress call and disrupted a pirate attack on a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel M/V Falcon Trader II, in the Arabian Sea.

April 16, CG 55 departed Manama, Bahrain, after a routine port visit.

July 15, USS Leyte Gulf returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month Middle East deployment.

November 4, Capt. Brian P. O'Donnell relieved Capt. Eugene H. Black, III as CO of the Leyte Gulf during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Norfolk.

December 30, USS Leyte Gulf recently entered the dry-dock at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair facility for a modernization availability period as part of the Navy's Cruiser Modernization program.

September 11, 2012 The Leyte Gulf recently underway for sea trials after a nine-month Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA).

June 5, 2013 The guided-missile cruiser is currently underway for routine training in the VACAPES Op. Area; Underway for Group Sail on July 30.

August 2, Capt. Dean T. Rawls relieved Capt. Brian P. O'Donnell as commanding officer of the Leyte Gulf.

November 20, USS Leyte Gulf departed Norfolk for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Carrier Strike Group.

February 14, 2014 CG 55 departed homeport for a two-week Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX) in the Treasure Coast Op. Area.

March 28, USS Leyte Gulf moored outboard the USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) at HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, for a two-day port call before participating in at-sea phase of a multinational exercise Joint Warrior 14-1, from March 30- April 10.

April 12, The Leyte Gulf moored at Cobh Cruise Terminal for a six-day port visit to Cork, Ireland; Returned to Norfolk on April 2?.

June 25, USS Leyte Gulf, with an embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 48 Det. 1, departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled independent deployment as part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2.

July 5, USS Leyte Gulf moored at East Quay in Malaga, Spain, for a scheduled port visit. The guided-missile cruiser recently participated in BMD exercise with the SPS Cristobal Colon (F105).

July 8, The Leyte Gulf relieved SPS Cristobal Colon as flagship for Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2, Rear Adm. Bradley Williamson, during a change-of-command ceremony at Port of Malaga.

July 15, CG 55 moored at Dique Del Oeste Pier in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a brief port call to refuel; Inport Rota, Spain, from July 19-21.

July 24, USS Leyte Gulf pulled into Ponta Delgada, Azores, for a brief stop to refuel.

July 31, The Leyte Gulf, along with the FGS Niedersachsen (F 208) and TCG Kemalreis (F247), moored at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a four-day port visit before participating in Task Group Exercises (TGEX) in the Canadian Op. Area.

August 14, USS Leyte Gulf moored outboard the USS Gettysburg (CG 64) in Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for a four-day port visit before participating in Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) in the Cherry Point Op. Area.

August 26, SNMG-2 ships arrived in Naval Station Norfolk for a nine-day port call before participating in the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) ARG's MEUEX.

September 10, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Pier 4/5 West, North Locust Point Marine Terminal in Port of Baltimore, Md., for a six-day visit to participate in bicentennial celebration of the Star-Spangled Banner; Inport Norfolk from Sept. 16-17.?

September 27, The Leyte Gulf arrived in Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a three-day port call; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound on Oct. 9.

October 10, The guided-missile cruiser moored at Pier 1, Naval Station Rota for a five-day port call before participating in at-sea phase of NATO exercise Noble Mariner 2014, off the coast of Cartagena, Gulf of Cadiz and Alboran Sea, from Oct. 15-26; Inport Rota again from Oct. 26-28; Transited the Strait of Sicily eastbound on Oct. 31.

November 5, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Aksaz Naval Base, Turkey, for a three-day port call before participating in at-sea phase of a trilateral exercise Mavi Balina 2014, from Nov. 8-13; Anchored off Antalya from Nov. 13-14.

November 26, The Leyte Gulf moored at Cruise Terminal B in Port of Piraeus, Greece, for a four-day liberty visit to Piraeus and Athens.

December 10, CG 55 moored at West Berth K14, NATO Fuel Depot in Souda Bay, Crete, for a routine port call.

December 18, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Angioino Wharf South in Port of Naples, Italy, for a two-day port call to conduct turnover with the USS Vicksburg (CG 69); Inport Rota, Spain, from Dec. 23-2?.

January 7, 2015 USS Leyte Gulf returned to Norfolk after a six-and-a-half month deployment in the U.S. Fleet Forces and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

March 2, The Leyte Gulf moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., for ammo offload; Moored at Pier 2, Naval Station Norfolk on March 6; Underway en route to Mayport, Fla., on April 11; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 2 on May 15; Underway in support of escort duties for ex-USS Miami (SSN 755) on June 9.?

July 17, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair was awarded a $38,6 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-4403) for the USS Leyte Gulf's Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA). Work is expected to be completed by February.

June 10, 2016 USS Leyte Gulf recently moored at Berth 6, Pier 14 on Naval Station Norfolk; Held an "Open House" from June 11-12.

July 1, The Leyte Gulf is currently moored at Berth 6, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for routine training on July 25.

September 16, The guided-missile cruiser is currently moored at Berth 5, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk.

October 12, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Pier 3 West, North Locust Point Marine Terminal in Port of Baltimore, Md., for a five-day visit to participate in the inaugural Maryland Fleet Week celebration.

November 16, Capt. Daniel D. Sunvold relieved Capt. Juan J. Orozco as the 18th CO of Layte Gulf during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Naval Station Norfolk.

November 28, USS Leyte Gulf departed homeport in support of the USS George H.W. Bush CSG's Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of opposition forces; Returned to Norfolk on Dec. ?; Underway again on Dec. 13; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 9 on Dec. 1?.

January 10, 2017 The Leyte Gulf departed Norfolk in support of the USS Bataan (LHD 5) ARG's COMPTUEX.

February 13, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 1, Pier 1 on Naval Station Norfolk after a 10-day underway for a Missile Exercise (MISSILEX), off the coast of North Carolina, and Task Group Exercise (TGEX) in the Jacksonville Op. Area.

March 27, USS Leyte Gulf, with an embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 60 Det. 2, departed Berth 6, Pier 6 for a scheduled independent deployment.

April 8, The Leyte Gulf transited the English Channel eastbound in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve; Moored at west sea lock on Wilhelmshaven Naval Base, Germany, from April 9-12.

April 20, CG 55 moored at Haakonsvern Naval Base, Norway, for a four-day liberty port visit to Bergen.

May 3, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Quay 25, Breivika Cruise Port in Tromso, Norway, for a five-day port visit before participating in NATO anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise EASTLANT 17; Moored at Haakonsvern Naval Base again from May 23-25.

May 30, The guided-missile cruiser transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound; Transited the Suez Canal on June ?; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on June 15.

June 26, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 6, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd, Bahrain, for a four-day liberty visit to Manama; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on July 21.

July 26, The Leyte Gulf moored at Pier 4 in Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a two-day port call.

August 1, USS Leyte Gulf participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) with the USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and HNoMS Otto Sverdrup (F312), while underway off the coast of Scotland, at the start of a multinational exercise Saxon Warrior 17.

August 12, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, for a five-day liberty visit to Glasgow.

September 2, The Leyte Gulf moored at Grotsund Terminal in Tromso, Norway, for a one-day port call; Moored at Haakonsvern Naval Base from Sept. 10-16.

September 22, CG 55 moored at NATO Fuel Pier in Ponta Delgada, Portugal, for a two-day visit to Sao Miguel Island; Moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., for ammo offload from Oct. 2-6.

October 6, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk after more than a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

November 3, The Leyte Gulf moored at Pier 4 on BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

March 8, 2018 USS Leyte Gulf moved "dead-stick" from BAE Systems shipyard to Berth 6, Pier 9 on Naval Station Norfolk.

May 11, Capt. William G. Musser relieved Capt. Daniel D. Sunvold as CO of the Layte Gulf during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

May 16, USS Leyte Gulf departed Naval Station Norfolk for sea trials following a six-month availability; Moored at NWS Yorktown for ammo onload from May 21-24; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on May 24.

June 22, The Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 1, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk after an 11-day underway for routine training in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Underway again on June 26; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on June 27; Underway for Group Sail, in the Jacksonville and Charleston Op. Areas, as part of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) CSG-12 on July 21.

From August 2-3, the Leyte Gulf conducted operations at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range, off the east coast of Andros Island, Bahamas.

August 17, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 5, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for carrier escort duties from Aug. 20-24; Emergency sortied due to approaching Hurricane Florence on Sept. 10; Arrived in the Key West Op. Area on Sept. 13.

September 16, The Leyte Gulf conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), while underway off the coast of Virginia; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 1 on Sept. 17.

October 23, The Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 6, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk after a one-day underway off the coast of Virginia.

November 13, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 2, Pier 4 on Naval Station Norfolk after an 11-day underway for Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise, as part of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, in the Cherry Point Op. Area; Underway for a missile exercise (MISSILEX), in Virginia Capes Op. Area, from Nov. 17-19; Underway again on Dec. 3.

December 3, The guided-missile cruiser moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown for a five-day ammo onload; Returned home on Dec. 8; Underway again from Dec. 11-12.

January 25, 2019 USS Leyte Gulf departed homeport for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX).

February 5, USS Leyte Gulf collided with the USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5), at about 4:00 p.m. local time, while conducting an underway replenishment approximately 50 n.m. south of Charleston, South Carolina. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) dry cargo/ammunition ship suffered an 8-inch gash above the waterline and the guided-missile cruiser suffered damage to the edge of its starboard quarter.

February 6, The Leyte Gulf moored at Wharf D1 on Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for an eight-day port call to conduct damage assessment; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 4 in Naval Station Norfolk on Feb. 27.

March 29, USS Leyte Gulf departed Norfolk for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

March 29, The Leyte Gulf moored at NWS Yorktown for a four-day ammo onload; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound on April 13.

April 15, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Prince of Spain Terminal in Port of Barcelona, Spain, for a five-day liberty visit; Transited the Strait of Sicily eastbound on April 23.

April 24, The Leyte Gulf participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) with the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), 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.

May 9, USS Leyte Gulf transited the Suez Canal southbound; Transited the Bab-el Mandeb Strait on May 12; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on Nov. 19; Transited southbound on Dec. 4; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on Dec. 17.

December 19, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Themistokleous Pier in Port of Piraeus, Greece, for a three-day liberty visit to Athens; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound, just after midnight, on Dec. 27.

January 4, 2020 USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 2, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk following an extended nine-month deployment.

January 7, The Leyte Gulf moored at the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown for a four-day ammo offload; Returned home on Jan. 11; Moved "dead-stick" to Pier 2N, Earl Industries shipyard in Portsmouth on Feb. ?.

March 15, Capt. Andrew D. Bates relieved Capt. William G. Musser as the 20th commanding officer of Leyte Gulf.

January 27, 2021 USS Leyte Gulf moved "dead-stick" from Earl Industries shipyard to Berth 5, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for sea trials, following an extended 13-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA), from March 6-8; Underway again on June 8; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 4 on July 2.

August 2, The Leyte Gulf moored to a buoy at Explosives Anchorage G2 for a brief stop before underway for routine training; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 6 on Aug. 6; Underway again from Aug. 10-11.

October 4, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 5, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk, around 12.40 p.m., after suffered an engineering casualty shortly after underway at 0930 local time; Underway again from Oct. 5-8; Moored at NWS Yorktown for ammo onload from Oct. 12-15.

November 5, The Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 6, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway again from Nov. 10-12, Nov. 30- Dec. 1 and Dec. 3; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 4 on Dec. 6.

January 28, 2022 USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 2, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk after a three-day underway in the Virginia Capes Op. Area.

February 10, Capt. Michael L. Weeldreyer relieved Capt. Andrew D. Bates as CO of the Leyte Gulf during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

March 5, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 1, Pier 4 on Naval Station Norfolk after a 19-day underway for Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise and Group Sail, as part of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) CSG, in the Jacksosnville, Charleston, Cherry Point and Virginia Capes Op. Areas.

April 22, The Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 2, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway off the coast of Virginia; Underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) on May 31; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 on June 30.

August 8, USS Leyte Gulf departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment; Moored at NWS Yorktown for ammo onload from Aug. 8-14.

August 18, Sonar Technician (Surface) 3rd Class Nicholas Woods died aboard the Leyte Gulf, while the ship was underway in the Virginia Capes Op. Area.

August 25, The Leyte Gulf transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound; Transited the Strait of Otranto northbound on Aug. 28; Participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS George H.W. Bush and ITS Caio Duilio (D 554), while underway in the southern Adriatic Sea, on Sept. 19; Transited the Strait of Otranto southbound on Sept. 26; Moored at Berth K14 in Souda Bay, Greece, from Sept. 27-30.

October 1, The Leyte Gulf conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), while underway in the southern Adriatic Sea; Transited the Strait of Otranto southbound on Oct. 5; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea again, while underway in the Ionian Sea, on Oct. 6.

October 24, USS Leyte Gulf conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), while underway approximately 50 n.m. south of Dubrovnik, Croatia; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea again on Oct. 29; Moored at Berth 12, Port of Gruz in Dubrovnik from Oct. 31- Nov. 3; Transited the Strait of Otranto southbound on Nov. 3.

November 14, The Leyte Gulf conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196), while underway in the southern Adriatic Sea; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic on Nov. 19; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS William McLean, while underway in the Ionian Sea, on Nov. 25; Transited the Strait of Messina northbound on Nov. 26; Transited southbound on Nov. 28; Moored at NATO Fuel Pier in Augusta Bay, Sicily, for a brief stop on Nov. 30.

December 3, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Silo Terminal in Port of Koper, Slovenia, for a three-day liberty visit; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic on Dec. 20; Transited the Strait of Otranto southbound on Dec. 24; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic, while underway east of Balearic Islands, on Dec. 28.

December 30, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 37, Dique Del Oeste Pier in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a three-day liberty port visit to celebrate the New Year's Eve; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Kanawha on Jan. 5.

January 7, 2023 The Leyte Gulf conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic, while underway in the Ionian Sea; Participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), while underway in the southern Adriatic Sea, on Jan. 15; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Kanawha, while underway in the eastern Mediterranean, on Jan. 23.

January 24, USS Leyte Gulf participated in a PHOTOEX with the Israeli Navy ships, as part of a joint exercise Juniper Oak 23-2, while underway off the coast of Israel; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Kanawha on Jan. 28; Moored at Berth K9 for a brief stop before moored at Berth K12 in Souda Bay for upkeep on Jan. 30; Departed Crete on Feb. 8.

February 9, The Leyte Gulf conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic, while underway in the eastern Mediterranean; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea again, while underway south of Crete, on Feb. 17; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic, while underway in the Ionian Sea, on Feb. 21; Participated in a PHOTOEX with the ITS Cavour (CVH 550) and ITS Caio Duilio on Feb. 21.

February 24, The Leyte Gulf participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS George H.W. Bush, USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), SPS Juan Carlos I (L 61), ITS Cavour and ITS Caio Duilio, while underway in the southern Adriatic Sea; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic on Feb. 25.

March 11, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Kolossos Berth, Akantia Harbour in Rhodes, Greece, for a three-day liberty port visit; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic, while underway in the Ionian Sea, on March 19; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea again, while underway in the Tyrrhenian Sea, on March 23; Transited the Strait of Messina southbound on March 31.

April 2, The Leyte Gulf conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic, while underway in the Ionian Sea; Transited the Strait of Sicily westbound on April 10; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea again, while underway south of Balearic Islands, on April 11; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar on April 12; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Arctic on April 16.

April 23, USS Leyte Gulf moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk following an eight-and-a-half month Mediterranean deployment.

May 30, The Leyte Gulf departed homeport for routine operations; Moored at NWS Yorktown for ammo offload from June 5-9; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on Friday afternoon; Underway in support of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG's COMPTUEX on June 28.

July 19, The Leyte Gulf moored at Wharf B2 on Naval Station Mayport for a one-day port call; Returned home on July 26; Moved to Berth 5, Pier 6 on Sept. 19; Underway again on Oct. 2.