USS Leyte Gulf was commissioned September 26, 1987, as the ninth Ticonderoga Class Aegis-based cruiser. She served in the Arabian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where she launched Tomahawk cruise missiles against Iraq, and served as local Anti-Air Warfare Commander for a four Aircraft Carrier Battle Force. In October 1992, the Leyte Gulf provided support for Operation Provide Comfort in the Adriatic Sea, joining other multi-national forces in response to the conflict and suffering within the former Yugoslavia.

In July 1993, the guided-missile destroyer proceeded to the Caribbean Sea to provide support for the war on drugs. Dealing a severe blow to traffickers, it coordinated several efforts that prevented over 100 tons of cocaine from reaching the United States.

Following a Selected Restricted Availability, which was completed early and under budget, CG 55 conducted a successful launch of the new BLOCK III Tomahawk missile in the Gulf of Mexico.

In July 1994, USS Leyte Gulf deployed to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior. During this critical time, she served as the principle "Ready Strike" platform for United States Naval Forces Central Command, and was seamlessly integrated into operations with two different Carrier Battle Groups. In October 1994, the Leyte Gulf made a high-speed, 3,600-mile transit to the Arabian Gulf (in just five days) as 80,000 Iraqi troops moved towards the Kuwaiti border in an act of aggression.

October 14, 1996 During a training exercise, 100 miles off the coast of North Carolina, USS Leyte Guld crashed into USS Theodore Roosevelt as the carrier, without warning, reversed its engines while the CG 55 was behind it and slammed into the cruiser's bow. The collision ripped open the front of the cruiser and heavily damaged the rear of TR. The collision caused $9 million in damages to the cruiser and $7 million to the carrier. Leyte Gulf's captain at that time was relieved of command as a result of the incident.

July 30, 1997 USS Leyte Gulf changed the homeport from Mayport, Fla., to Naval Station Norfolk.

February 26, 1999 CG 55 deployed in the Adriatic Sea for Operation Allied Force as part of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) BG. The TR battle group was originally slated to deploy directly to the Persian Gulf to relieve the USS Enterprise, but was ordered by Secretary of Defense Cohen to remain in the area to suppport Operation Allied Force. The guided-missile cruiser returned to homeport in Sept. 1999.

January 18, 2001 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 Virginia Beach coast. The incident took place while she was conducting electronic calibration trials in the vicinity of Navy buoy "B" near the Chesapeake Light. THe CO was relieved of his command as a result of the mishap.

As part of the USS George Washington Carrier Battle Group, and in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, USS Leyte Gulf set sail in support of defense and humanitarian efforts off the coast of New York. She stayed on station until 14th, when returned to Norfolk. She departed on Sept. 19, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt BG, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Battle Group arrived in Arabian Sea on Oct. 15.

CG 55 returned to homeport in late March, departing for New York City again two months later for a Fleet Week celebration.

February 17, 2004 USS Leyte Gulf departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment, as part of USS Wasp (LHD 1) Expeditionary Strike Group Two (ESG-2), in support of the Global War on terrorism.

August 13, USS Leyte Gulf returned to Norfolk after a six-month underway period in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. She also visited ports of Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia.

December 5, 2005 Rear Adm. Raymond Spicer, USS Enterprise Strike Group Commander, welcomed USS Leyte Gulf and its crew into Carrier Strike Group 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 in the Atlantic Ocean, with the USS Enterprise CSG, conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), in preparation for the upcoming deployment.

May 2, USS Leyte Gulf departed homeport for a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

August 28, The Leyte Gulf arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, following nearly two months of operations with U.S. 7th Fleet in the western Pacific.

November 18, USS Leyte Gulf, commanded by Cmdr. Scott Phillpott, returned to Norfolk after six-and-a-half month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism and Maritime Security Operations.

March 29, 2008 The guided-missile cruiser is currently off the coast of Florida, participating in a tailored ship's training availability, as part of USS Theodore Roodevelt CSG.

October 12, USS Leyte Gulf, commanded by Capt. Edward J. Lester, departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled Mediterranean deployment.

January 27, 2009 CG 55 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, The Leyte Gulf returned to homeport after a seven-month underway period. While deployed in the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility, the ship participated in Africa Partnership Station (APS).

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 arrived in Aksaz, Turkey, for a four-day port call.

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.