View source for USS Mobile Bay

{{Short description|American guided-missile cruiser (1987–2023)}}
{{For|ships with similar names|USS Mobile}}
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|Ship image=File:USS Mobile Bay - Front View.jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''Mobile Bay'' on 22 May 2006
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag}}
|Ship name=''Mobile Bay''
|Ship namesake=[[Battle of Mobile Bay]]
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|Ship ordered=15 January 1982
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Ingalls Shipbuilding]]
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|Ship laid down=6 June 1984
|Ship launched=22 August 1985
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|Ship commissioned=21 February 1987
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|Ship decommissioned=10 August 2023
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|Ship homeport=[[Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton |NB Kitsap-Bremerton]]
|Ship identification=*{{MMSI Number|368785000}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: NMOB
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Oscar}}{{ICS|Bravo}}
*[[Hull number]]: CG-53
|Ship motto=''Full Speed Ahead''
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|Ship status= Stricken from the Naval Registry; final disposition pending as of August 2023
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|Ship badge= [[File:USS Mobile Bay CG-53 Crest.png|150px]]
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Ship class={{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser}}
|Ship displacement={{Ticonderoga class cruiser displacement}}
|Ship length={{Ticonderoga class cruiser length}}
|Ship beam={{Ticonderoga class cruiser beam}}
|Ship draft={{Ticonderoga class cruiser draft}}
|Ship propulsion={{Ticonderoga class cruiser propulsion}}
|Ship speed={{Ticonderoga class cruiser speed}}
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|Ship complement={{Ticonderoga class cruiser complement}}
|Ship sensors={{Ticonderoga class cruiser sensors}}
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|Ship armament={{Ticonderoga class cruiser armament mark 41}}
|Ship aircraft={{Ticonderoga class cruiser aircraft}}
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'''USS ''Mobile Bay'' (CG-53)''' was a [[Ticonderoga class cruiser|''Ticonderoga'' class]] [[guided-missile]] [[cruiser]] that served in the [[United States Navy]] from 1987 to 2023. She is named for the naval [[Battle of Mobile Bay]] during the [[American Civil War]] in 1864.

==Design and construction==
The ship was ordered from [[Ingalls Shipbuilding]] on 15 January 1982. She was laid down on 6 June 1984, launched on 22 August 1985, and commissioned on 21 February 1987 at the Alabama State Docks in [[Mobile, Alabama]]. She was decommissioned August 10, 2023.

With guided missiles and rapid-fire cannons, ''Mobile Bay'' was capable of defeating threats in the air, on the sea, on shore, and undersea. She carries the [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk Land Attack Missile]] which played an integral part in the strikes on Iraqi targets during the opening stages of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] in 2003. She also carries two [[SH-60 Sea Hawk|Seahawk]] [[Light airborne multi-purpose system|LAMPS]] multi-purpose helicopters, mainly for [[Antisubmarine warfare|anti-submarine warfare (ASW)]]. The ship was capable of conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations, and carried a fully trained boarding team.

==Operational history==
After commissioning, ''Mobile Bay'' joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, arriving at [[Naval Station Mayport|Mayport, Florida]], her homeport in March 1987. Following a year of crew qualifications, tests and systems trials, ''Mobile Bay'' embarked on her maiden deployment on 11 May 1989. During this cruise, ''Mobile Bay'' earned her first two awards: the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the [[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]], for operations conducted in the [[Gulf of Oman]].

In June 1990, ''Mobile Bay'' shifted homeports from Mayport to [[Yokosuka, Japan]]. Shortly thereafter, she deployed in August 1990 in support of [[Operation Desert Shield]] and [[Operation Desert Storm]], becoming the first [[AEGIS combat system|AEGIS cruiser]] to circumnavigate the globe. In the [[Persian Gulf]], the ship distinguished herself by becoming the first Battle Force Anti-Air Warfare Commander to control a four-carrier Task Force. ''Mobile Bay'' launched 22 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile strikes, and performed as the Battle Force Anti-Surface Warfare Commander targeting Iraqi naval vessels and directing carrier-launched attack aircraft to destroy 38 Iraqi naval vessels resulting in the complete neutralization of the [[Iraqi Navy]]. Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 43 (HSL-43) Detachment 2B was assigned with two SH-60B Seahawk helicopters aboard.

In February 1991, the Tactical Information Coordinator (TIC) aboard ''Mobile Bay'', reported SPY-1 Radar acquisitions of what appeared to be SCUD missile launches that were detected over [[Saudi Arabia]]. These tracks were reported over Data Systems Administration (DSA) and Anti-Air Warfare Coordination and Reporting (AAWC&R) voice networks and were confirmed to be valid targets by Patriot Batteries who engaged these SCUDs.<ref>Chief of Naval Operations Summary Report, Ser OO/lU500179, 15 May 1991, THE UNITED STATES NAVY IN "DESERT SHIELD" / "DESERT STORM," Chapter V, "THUNDER AND LIGHTNING"- THE WAR WITH IRAQ; "An AEGIS History," Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, May 1986. Author: Troy S. Kimmel. Naval Engineers Journal, 2009, Vol. 121 No. 3 "The Story of AEGIS." P. 34; "Fielding a Theater Ballistic Missile Defense," John E. Carey, Proceedings, June 1993, p. 56; "Theater Missile Defense: Beyond Patriot," Master's Thesis of Joseph P. Peterson, Naval Postgraduate School, June 1994; dcmilitary.com, from Friday October 11, 2013 in the South Potomac Pilot; Personnel Performance Evaluation of OS2 Patrick A. Payne, FTC/TIC, USS Mobile Bay, dated 1 May 1991.</ref>

In May 1991, ''Mobile Bay'' was ordered to [[Subic Bay]], [[Republic of the Philippines]], to participate in [[Operation Fiery Vigil]], the evacuation of thousands of people displaced by the volcanic eruption of [[Mount Pinatubo]]. In December 1991, ''Mobile Bay'' began work-ups for a spring 1992 Persian Gulf deployment.

On 15 April 1992, ''Mobile Bay'' once again set sail for the Persian Gulf. En route, the ship and crew visited [[Sydney, Australia]], to represent the U. S. Navy at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Battle of Coral Sea. Sailing through the Straits of Hormuz in late May 1992, the ship began duties as the Persian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare Commander. ''Mobile Bay'' also played a vital role in Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of the U. N.-mandated "No Fly Zone" over Southern Iraq. Returning to Japan in October, ''Mobile Bay'' participated in ANNUALEX-92, a major naval exercise involving units of the U. S. Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. ''Mobile Bay'' served as the Anti-Air Warfare Commander for a joint U. S. - Japanese flotilla.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/cg53/Pages/History.aspx|title=History|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723005524/http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/cg53/Pages/History.aspx|archive-date=23 July 2010}}</ref>

After participating in ''SPRING TRAINING-93'' off the coast of Australia, she made an historic visit to the Russian seaport of [[Vladivostok]] in September 1993. Accompanying her was the {{USS|Bunker Hill|CG-52|6}}.<ref>GlobalSecurity.org [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/cg-53.htm website]</ref>

''Mobile Bay'' was deployed to [[East Timor]] as part of the Australian-led [[INTERFET]] peacekeeping taskforce from 20 September to 5 October 1999.<ref>Stevens, ''Strength Through Diversity'', p. 14</ref> As the most capable air defense vessel available, the ship was placed in charge of air defence,<ref>Stevens, ''Strength Through Diversity'', p. 21</ref> although the U.S. requests for screening ''Mobile Bay'' necessitated a considerable degree of effort by other ships of the force.

In March 2003 ''Mobile Bay'' was assigned to [[Cruiser-Destroyer Group 5]].<ref>http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/usa/suface.htm {{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}, accessed May 2012</ref>

''Mobile Bay'' operated in support of the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] from 17 June to 17 December 2004. The ship was later awarded the [[Iraq Campaign Medal]].

In 2006, the cruiser was deployed to the Western Pacific, where she served as the Air Defense Commander for the {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|2}} Carrier Strike Group.

On 16 February 2007, ''Mobile Bay'' was awarded the 2006 [[Battle E|Battle "E"]] award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27895|title=Surface Force Ships, Crews Earn Battle "E"|access-date=1 March 2007|archive-date=6 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206142601/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27895|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ship completed a 10-month overhaul in early 2010.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fellman|first=Sam|url=http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/05/navy-mobile-bay-insurv-details-050911w/|title=Details emerge on cruiser’s INSURV failure|publisher=Navy Times|date=9 May 2011}}</ref>

On 8 April 2011, the ship was given a failing grade of "unsatisfactory" in her [[Board of Inspection and Survey|INSURV]] inspection, mainly for problems with the ship's propulsion, operations, aviation, and communications.  A remedial inspection was scheduled and passed in June 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fellman|first=Sam|url=http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/04/navy-mobile-bay-fails-insurv-041811w/|title=West Coast cruiser fails INSURV|publisher=Navy Times|date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

[[File:USSMobileBayByPhilKonstantin.jpg|thumb|''Mobile Bay ''in San Diego Bay, 2011.]]
The ship returned from back to back deployments (2011 and 2012) as the Air Defense Commander for John C Stennis Strike Group. She was awarded the 2012 Battle E and Spokane Award for her service.

In December 2020 the U.S. Navy's Report to Congress on the Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels stated that the ship was planned to be placed Out of Commission in Reserve in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://media.defense.gov/2020/Dec/10/2002549918/-1/-1/1/SHIPBUILDING%20PLAN%20DEC%2020_NAVY_OSD_OMB_FINAL.PDF|title=Report to Congress on the Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels|publisher=Office of the Chief of Naval Operations|date=9 December 2020|accessdate=2 February 2021|page=16}}</ref>

On 9 May 2022, ''Mobile Bay'' transited the [[Philippine Sea]]<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1525460932826222593|user=USNavy|title=Sunset at sea ☀️ 🌊 The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser #USSMobileBay (CG 53) transits the Philippine Sea…|date=14 May 2022}}</ref> and she steamed into [[Tokyo Bay]] on 22 May 2022 as a part of [[Carrier Strike Group 3]] with {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2022/05/23/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-may-23-2022|title=USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 23, 2022|publisher=usni.org|date=23 May 2022|access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref> ''Mobile Bay'' also participated in [[Exercise RIMPAC|RIMPAC]] 2022 in that year.<ref>{{cite news |title=USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 1, 2022 |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/08/01/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-aug-1-2022 |access-date=9 August 2022 |publisher=news.usni.org |date=1 August 2022}}</ref>

On 10 August 2023, ''Mobile Bay'' was decommissioned at a ceremony at [[Naval Base San Diego]] after over 36 years of service.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3490821/uss-mobile-bay-decommissions-honors-36-years-of-service/|title=USS Mobile Bay Decommissions, Honors 36 Years of Service|publisher=United States Navy|date=11 August 2023|access-date=11 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Jennewein|first=Chris|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2023/08/10/guided-missile-cruiser-uss-mobile-bay-decommissioned-in-san-diego-after-36-years/|title=Guided-Missile Cruiser USS Mobile Bay Decommissioned in San Diego After 36 Years|publisher=Times of San Diego|date=10 August 2023|access-date=11 August 2023}}</ref>

===Awards===
* [[Combat Action Ribbon]] - (Jan-Feb 1991)
* [[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]] - (10-28 Jun 1991)
* [[Navy Unit Commendation]] - (Jan-Feb 1991, Jan-May 2003, Sep 2002-Apr 2003, Jul 2012-May 2013)
* Navy [[Meritorious Unit Commendation]] - (May-Sep 1992, 7–8 May 1994, Jul 1994-Apr 1996, 7–8 May 1994, 13-24 Dec 2001, Sep 2011-Jan 2012, Sep 2023)
* [[Battle E|Battle "E"]] - (1993, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2023)
* [[National Defense Service Medal]] (second)
* [[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]
* [[Southwest Asia Service Medal]] - (Oct 1990-Mar 1991)
* [[Iraq Campaign Medal]] - (2004)
* [[Sea Service Ribbon]] - multiple awards
* [[Spokane Trophy]] Award - (2012)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book |last=Stevens |first=David |title=Strength Through Diversity: The combined naval role in Operation Stabilise |series=Working Papers |volume=20 |year=2007 |publisher=Sea Power Centre - Australia |location=Canberra |isbn=978-0-642-29676-4 |issn=1834-7231 |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_20.pdf |access-date=6 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910150114/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_20.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2012 }}

==External links==
{{commons category|USS Mobile Bay (CG-53)}}
* [http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/cg53 Official Navy web site]{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://www.navysite.de/cg/cg53.html USS ''Mobile Bay'' webpage]
* {{navsource|04/1153/040153|USS Mobile Bay (CG-53)}}
* {{hlist|USS ''Mobile Bay'' (CG-53) command histories – [[Naval History & Heritage Command]]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1987.pdf 1987]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1988.pdf 1988]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1989.pdf 1989]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1990.pdf 1990]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1991-94.pdf 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1995.pdf 1995]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1996.pdf 1996]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1997.pdf 1997]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1997.pdf 1998]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/1999.pdf 1999]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/2001.pdf 2001]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/m/cg-53/2002.pdf 2002]
}}

{{Naval Vessel Register|https://www.nvr.navy.mil/SHIPDETAILS/SHIPSDETAIL_CG_53.HTML}}

{{Ticonderoga class cruiser}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mobile Bay (CG-53)}}
[[Category:Ticonderoga-class cruisers]]
[[Category:Ships built in Pascagoula, Mississippi]]
[[Category:1985 ships]]
[[Category:Cold War cruisers of the United States]]
[[Category:Cruisers of the United States]]
[[Category:Gulf War ships of the United States]]