The Vicksburg (CG 69) is the 23rd Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and the second ship in the United Stated Navy named for both the land Battle of Vicksburg fought during the American Civil War, and the city of Vicksburg, MS. The keel was laid down by Ingalls Shipbuilding, at Pascagoula, Miss., on May 30, 1990; and she was launched on September 7, 1991. The ship was christened on October 12, 1991. Mrs. Tricia Lott, the wife of the Honorable Trent Lott, United States Senator, Mississippi, served as sponsor of the ship. Capt. Paul K. Vosseler is the prospective commanding officer.

November 14, 1992 USS Vicksburg was commissioned during a ceremony at Pascagoula, Miss.

January ?, 1994 USS Vicksburg departed Naval Station Mayport for its maiden Mediterranean deployment, as part of the USS Saratoga (CV 60) Battle Group, in support of Operations Deny Flight and Provide Promise.

May 12, Capt. Thomas J. Wilson, III relieved Capt. Paul K. Vosseler as CO of the CG 69.

In May, the Vicksburg participated in NATO exercise Dynamic Impact '94 in the western Mediterranean.

in August, the guided-missile cruiser supported Operation Able Vigil, helping to intercept Cuban migrants crossing the Florida Straits.

May 3, 1996 Capt. Robert B. Shields, Jr., relieved Capt. Thomas J. Wilson, III as commanding officer of USS Vicksburg.

April 29, 1997 USS Vicksburg departed Mayport for a six-month deployment, with the USS John F. Kennedy CVBG, in support of Operation Deliberate Guard and Operation Southern Watch. J.F.K. Battle Group relieved USS Theodore Roosevelt CVBG, which had been operating in the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Red Sea and Persian Gulf. In July, the cruiser participated in the 6th Fleet exercise INVITEX involving 12 nations, and from September 23-October 7, in NATO'S Exercise Dynamic Mix. That exercise placed John F. Kennedy Battle Group units on opposing sides and was designed to increase task force and unit readiness as forces implemented NATO strategy and doctrine.

In 1998, CG 69 experienced significant problems with AEGIS Baseline 6.1 and CEC 2.0 integration, which forced re-scheduling its deployments and caused a major rework of these computer programs.

April 15, 1998 Capt. William G. Wheeler relieved Capt. Robert B. Shields, Jr., as the 4th CO of Vicksburg.

In Mid-1999, the guided-missile cruiser took part in multinational exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) '99 in the western Baltic Sea. The exercise included 53 ships, submarines and aircraft from European allies and Partnership for Peace (PfP) nations Poland, Germany, France, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania and the United States.

In the fall of 1999, USS Vicksburg participated solely in the modernized phase of the 40th annual UNITAS deployment to South America. During that deployment, she served as Flagship for the Commander, South Atlantic Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commander, Destroyer Squadron Six. The 40th UNITAS was a three-week exercise was hosted by Brazil and included 23 ships from six countries, including the host, the United States, Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal and Spain.

July 7, 2000 Capt. David F. Britt relieved Capt. William G. Wheeler as CO of the Vicksburg.

In September, CG 69 took part in Underway No. 10", one in a series of tests leading to the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) Operation Evaluation (OPEVAL) scheduled for Spring 2001. The CEC system provides the capability to cooperatively engage targets by a warship using data from other CEC-equipped ships, aircraft, and land-based sensors, even in an electronic-jamming environment. It also provides a common, consistent and highly accurate air picture, allowing battle group defenses to act as one seamless system. The test, off Wallops Island, VA, simulated missile firings from some of the Navy's most technically advanced ships against unmanned drones.

From February 9, through March 2, 2001, USS Vicksburg took part in a technical evaluation (TECHEVAL) to test whether the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) was on track to a successful Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) in April and May of 2001. The TECHEVAL was conducted in two phases, the first off the coast of Puerto Rico and the second off Wallops Island, Va. The tests included live missile firings and tracking exercises from some of the Navy's most technically advanced ships.

As part of the USS George Washington Carrier Battle Group, and in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, the Vicksburg set sail in support of defense and humanitarian efforts off the coast of New York.

From January 19-26, 2002, the Vicksburg participated in a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 02-1 Phase I as part of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Battle Group. Underway for Phase II from Feb. 7-14.

February 16, USS Vicksburg departed Naval Station Mayport for a scheduled Middle East deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

March 8. The JFK BG relieved the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) BG on station in the North Arabian Sea.

June 18, In monsoon seas of almost 20 feet, USS Vicksburg and its embarked helicopter detachment, "Proud Warrior," responded to a distress call and effected the rescue of all 16 crew members of a merchant vessel yesterday off the coast of Oman. The vessel, Al Murtada, was adrift without propulsion or electrical power and was believed to have been drifting for 11 days, before depleted food and water supplies, coupled with poor sea and weather conditions necessitated the crew abandon ship.

July 21, Capt. Eric L. Sweigard relieved Capt. David F. Britt as CO of the Vicksburg.

August 17, USS Vicksburg returned to Mayport after a six-month combat deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the Arabian Gulf, in addition to operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

March 19, 2004 Capt. Thomas K. Shannon relieved Capt. Eric L. Sweigard as CO of the Vicksburg.

June 7, USS Vicksburg departed homeport for a scheduled Middle East deployment as part of the USS John F. Kennedy Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

September 23, In order to deter, detect and disrupt international terrorist organizations (ITO) targeting critical infrastructures in the Central Arabian Gulf, USS Vicksburg, USS Spruance (DD 963), USS Sirocco (PC 6), USCGC Baranof (WPB 1318) and air assets from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 conducted exercises in the North Arabian Gulf from Sept. 14-16.

December 17, USS Vicksburg returned to Naval Station Mayport after a six-month deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.

January 25, 2006 USS Vicksburg departed homeport for a surge deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and the Global War on Terrorism.

February 26, CG 69 became the first U.S. Navy ship to take on fuel at the new Defense Fuel Supply Point (DFSP) at the Port of Doraleh in Djibouti. The Navy has leased several fuel storage tanks from DFSP Djibouti for the exclusive use of ships operating in and around the Horn of Africa in support of maritime security operations.

March 1, Capt. Charles C. Swicker relieved Capt. Thomas K. Shannon as the 8th commanding officer of Vicksburg.

June 11, USS Vicksburg returned to Mayport, Fla., after four-and-a-half month underway period in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

November 23, Colombian Armada submarine A.R.C. Tayrona completed joint training with several U.S. Navy ships, including USS Vicksburg, in early November, during a brief deployment under the Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI) off the coast of Mayport. The DESI program, established in 2001, has engaged several diesel South American navies with submarines to provide a series of programmed stateside deployments. The goal is to support fleet training exercises and tactical development events.

May 21, 2007 CG 69 is currently participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) ESG.

June 24, The Vicksburg is currently underway for a Certification Exercise (CERTEX).

July 31, USS Vicksburg departed Naval Station Mayport for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet AoR.

October 4, The guided-missile cruiser is currently underway in the Arabian Gulf conducting Maritime Security Operations.

December 9, Capt. John C. Nygaard relieved Capt. Charles C. Swicker as CO of the Vicksburg.

January 13, 2008 The Vicksburg departed Valletta, Malta, after a liberty port visit.

January 25, USS Vicksburg returned to Mayport after a six-month deployment. She enjoyed several port visits including being the first U.S. Navy ship to visit La Spezia, Italy, in over three years. The cruiser also visited Souda Bay, Crete; Manama, Bahrain, on four separate occasions; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; Salalah, Oman; Limassol, Cyprus; and Valletta, Malta. She traveled over 31,500 miles and passed through several major choke points, including eight Strait of Hormuz transits.

January 10, 2009 CG 69 is currently underway for a COMPTUEX, as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG.

February 21, USS Vicksburg departed Mayport for a scheduled deployment.

March 10, The guided-missile cruiser departed Toulon, France, after a two-day port visit.

July 31, The Vicksburg returned to homeport after a five-month deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

October 30, Capt. Timothy Mahan, Jr., relieved Capt. John C. Nyggard as commanding officer of the Vicksburg.

March 11, 2010 USS Vicksburg recently departed Mayport Naval Station for a three-month deployment in support of Joint Warrior 10-1 exercise.

March 15, CG 69 arrived in Trondheim for a scheduled port call and will participate in several naval exercises with the Norwegian Navy.

April 2, The guided-missile cruiser arrived in Brest, France, for a five-day port visit.

April 29, USS Vicksburg anchored off Stockholm, Sweden, for a four-day port call after participating in exercise Joint Warrior off the coast of Scotland.

May 7, The Vicksburg departed Klaipeda, Lithuania, after a three-day theater security cooperation (TSC) port visit.

May 29, USS Vicksburg returned to homeport after an 11-week underway period.

June 17, 2011 USS Vicksburg successfully passed its Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment after a four-day underway off the coast of Florida.

July 1, Capt. Logan S. Jones relieved Capt. Timothy Mahan, Jr., as the 15th CO of the Vicksburg during a change-of-command ceremony at Freeport, Bahamas. The ship recently pulled into Lucayan Harbour to celebrate the Independence Day.

From July 31 through August 2, USS Vicksburg, along with USS Nitze (DDG 94) and USS Taylor (FFG 50), participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ships off the United State's East Coast, from Virginia to Florida.

September 26, The guided-missile cruiser departed Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C., after a three-day port call.

September 30, CG 69 recently pulled into Naval Station Norfolk for two weeks of integrated training with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) CSG. Returned to Naval Station Mayport on Oct. 17.

November 18, The Vicksburg departed Mayport for a Friends and Family Day Cruise.

January 15, 2012 USS Vicksburg is currently participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), in preparation for the upcoming deployment as part of the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group.

March 9, USS Vicksburg departed Naval Station Mayport for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

March 28, The Vicksburg anchored in Phaleron Bay for a three-day port visit to Athens, Greece.

April 24, The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Jebel Ali, U.A.E., for a four-day visit to Dubai. CG 69 conducted combined operations with French anti-air destroyer FS Cassard (D 614) from April 16-21.

May 20, USS Vicksburg moored at Mina Salman Pier in Manama, Bahrain, for an eight-day port visit.

July 1, The Vicksburg arrived in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for another visit to Dubai to celebrate the 4th of July.

August 24, USS Vicksburg departed Khalifa Bin Salman Port at Hidd, Bahrain, after a two-week port call.

September 28, CG 69 recently pulled into Jebel Ali, U.A.E., for its third and final visit to Dubai. Transited Suez Canal on Oct. 12.

October 17, The Vicksburg pulled into Lisbon, Portugal, for a scheduled port visit.

November 1, The guided-missile cruiser moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., for a two-day visit to embark "Tigers."

November 5, USS Vicksburg returned to Mayport after an eight-month deployment.

January 28, 2013 The Vicksburg recently departed homeport for the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) CSG's COMPTUEX and USS Kearsarge ARG's COMPTUEX, as part of opposition forces. Returned home on Feb. 18.

May 10, Capt. Lyle D. Hall relieved Capt. Logan S. Jones as the 12th CO of Vicksburg during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Station Mayport.

August 12, BAE Systems Jacksonville, Fla., has been awarded a $7 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N40024-10-C-4406) to handle a host of repair work on the USS Vicksburg. The job will include ship repairs and alterations, with the primary focus being on making structural repairs and getting the boiler and flight deck certified. The work is scheduled to be completed by September.

April 21, 2014 USS Vicksburg is currently underway for routine training in the Jacksonville Op. Area. Underway for Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) Cruise in early June.

September 3, The Vicksburg recently departed Mayport for Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX) in the Treasure Coast Op. Area and in support of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) ARG's MEUEX in the Cherry Point OPAREA.

September 18, USS Vicksburg departed Naval Station Mayport to participate in a multinational exercise Joint Warrior 14-2, off the coast of Scotland, from Oct. 6-17.

October 2, CG 69 moored at HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, for a four-day port call. Inport Rota, Spain, from Oct. 24-28; Returned home on Nov. ?.

December 4, USS Vicksburg, with an embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48 Det. 3, departed homeport for a scheduled independent deployment.

December 14, The guided-missile cruiser moored at Pontinha Pier in Port of Funchal, Portugal, for an overnight stop at Madeira Island to refuel.

December 19, USS Vicksburg moored outboard the USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) at Angioino Wharf South in Port of Naples, Italy, for a week-long port visit and to assume duties as flagship for Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2 on Dec. 20.

January 1, 2015 The Vicksburg moored at Fuel Pier in Augusta Bay, Italy, for an 11-day upkeep.

January 14, USS Vicksburg moored at Cruise Terminal B, Adossat Wharf in Port of Barcelona, Spain, for a three-day port visit before participating in a combined exercises with the TCG Turgutreis (F241), HMCS Fredericton (FFH 337) and FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91) Carrier Strike Group (CSG); Transited the Strait of Messina eastbound on Jan. 22.?

January 30, CG 69 moored at West Berth K14, NATO Fuel Depot in Souda Bay, Crete, for a four-day port call.

February 6, USS Vicksburg, along with seven other SNMG-2 ships, moored at Lora Naval Base in Split, Croatia, for a four-day port visit before participating in exercises with the Croatian Navy.

February 13, The Vicksburg moored at Berth 57, Ferry Terminal in Port of Trieste, Italy, for a three-day port visit.

February 27, The guided-missile cruiser moored at Cruise Terminal B in Port of Piraeus, Greece, for a two-day port call.

March 4, USS Vicksburg, along with TCG Turgutreis, transited the Bosporus Strait northbound on late Tuesday evening. FGS Spessart (A1442), HMCS Fredericton and ITS Aliseo (F 574) entered the Black Sea today.

March 8, USS Vicksburg moored at Berth 7, Container Terminal in Port of Varna East, Bulgaria, for a brief port call one day later than scheduled due to high winds.

March 13, CG 69 moored at Passenger Berth in Port of Constanta, Romania, for a three-day port call.

From March 16-18, the Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2 participated in joint naval drills with the ROS Marasesti (F111) and three other Romanian Navy ships; Departed Black Sea on March 21; Inport Augusta Bay from March 23-2?; Inport Rota, Spain, from March 29-30.?

March 31, USS Vicksburg transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); Participated in a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the RMNS Allal ben Abdellah (F 615) and RMNS Hassan II (F 612), off the coast of Casablanca, Morocco, on April 2.

April 3, USS Vicksburg moored at Alcantara Cruise Terminal in Lisbon, Portugal, for a four-day port visit.

April 10, The Vicksburg moored outboard the USS Anzio (CG 68) at HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, for a two-day port call before participating in at-sea phase of a multinational exercise Joint Warrior 15-1.

April 24, USS Vicksburg moored at Cruise Terminal in downtown Liverpool, England, for a four-day liberty port visit.

May 2, The guided-missile cruiser moored outboard the HNLMS Tromp (F803) at Skolten Cruise Terminal in Bergen, Norway, for a two-day port visit before participating in NATO anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise Dynamic Mongoose, in the North Sea and Strait of Skagerrak, from May 4-13.

May 16, USS Vicksburg moored at the newly-constructed Ocean Quay Cruise Terminal in Port of Copenhagen, Denmark, for a four-day liberty visit; Participated in PASSEX with the Lithuanian patrol ship LNS Aukstaitis (P14) on May 21.

May 22, The Vicksburg moored at Bulk Terminal in Port of Riga, Latvia, for a four-day port visit.

May 29, USS Vicksburg moored at Cruise Quay 25, Old City Harbour in Tallinn, Estonia, for a two-day port visit.

June 4, CG 69 moored at French Quay, Baltic General Cargo Terminal in Port of Gdynia, Poland, for a four-day port call before participating in at-sea phase of a multinational maritime exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2015.

June 19, USS Vicksburg moored at northern Scheer-Mole, Tirpitzhafen Naval Base in Kiel, Germany, for a week-long port visit to participate in annual Kiel Week celebration and to conduct turnover with the FGS Hamburg (F 220).

June 25, German Navy Commodore Joerg Klein relieved Rear Adm. Bradley Williamson as Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2 during a change-of-command ceremony at Scheermole.

July 3, The guided-missile cruiser moored at NATO Fuel Pier in Ponta Delgada, Azores, for a routine port call.

July 11, USS Vicksburg returned to Mayport after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

September 11, The Vicksburg is currently underway in support of the USS Harry S. Truman CSG's COMPTUEX, as part of opposition forces.

December 31, USS Vicksburg is currently moored at Wharf C1 on Naval Station Mayport; Moored at Wharf B2 on Jan. ?.

July 1, 2016 USS Vicksburg was inducted into the Navy's guided-missile cruisers Phased Modernization program, following an Induction Continuous Maintenance Availability (I-CMAV), during a ceremony at Naval Station Mayport. Also, Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey J. Murawski relieved Capt. Capt. Lyle D. Hall as CO of the CG 69.

July 8, The Vicksburg arrived in its new administrative homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va., after a three-day transit from Mayport, under tow by USNS Apache (T-ATF 172).

September 16, USS Vicksburg is currently moored at Berth 1, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk.

February 15, 2017 BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair was awarded a $42,9 million contract for the Special Selected Restricted Availability (SSRA) of USS Vicksburg. Work is expected to be completed by September.

January 29, 2018 The Vicksburg moved "dead-stick" from Pier 3, BAE Systems shipyard to Berth 2, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk; Moved "dead-stick" to Pier 4S, BAE Systems shipyard on March 8; Moved to Pier 3S on Sept. 20.

June 28, 2019 Capt. David T. Snee relieved Cmdr. Richard Jimenez, Jr., as the 15th CO of USS Vicksburg during a change-of-command ceremony at Joint Forces Staff College's Normandy Hall in Norfolk.

January 2, 2020 BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair was awarded a $175 million contract for the USS Vicksburg's modernization period availability. Work is expected to be completed by March 2021.

March 24, The Vicksburg moved from Pier 3S to Old Dominion Dry Dock on BAE Systems shipyard; Undocked and moored at Pier 4N in BAE Systems shipyard on June 10, 2021.

June 25, Capt. Gary M. Chase relieved Capt. David T. Snee as CO of the Vicksburg during a change-of-command ceremony on BAE Systems shipyard.

July 19, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair was awarded an $8,1 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-20-C-4446) for the USS Vicksburg's modernization period availability. Work is expected to be completed by June 2022.

May 18, 2022 BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair was awarded an $8,1 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-20-C-4446) for the USS Vicksburg's modernization period availability. Work is expected to be completed by March 2023 and will bring the cumulative value of the contract to $214,6 million.

February 21, 2024 USS Vicksburg moved "dead-stick" from BAE Systems shipyard to Berth 2, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk.?