The retirement of CG 63 marks the end of an era for the Ticonderoga-class cruiser in the US Navy. Source: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

The US Navy decommissioned the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) during a ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, marking the end of its 33-year service.

The cruiser, commissioned on March 9, 1991, in Charleston, South Carolina, was recognised for its capability across mission profiles, from combat operations to humanitarian assistance.

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The ship began a modernisation programme at Naval Base San Diego on September 29, 2015, as part of the CG Phased Modernisation Programme. This effort, aimed at extending the ship’s service life from 35 to 44 years, included upgrades to the AEGIS weapon system.

The decommissioning event, attended by Navy leadership, veterans, and families, celebrated the ship’s legacy and contributions to US naval projection and global security.

Honouring a legacy of service

The USS Cowpens was integral to several operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing air defence, maritime security, surveillance, and precision strike capabilities.

“From 1983 onward, these ships [Cowpens] defended our nation’s interests, supported critical combat operations, and ensured freedom of the seas; more than that, they brought AEGIS and VLS, revolutionary technologies, into the hands of our warfighters,” remarked Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, Deputy Commander of Naval Surface Force, US Pacific Fleet.

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“Cowpens, the seventeenth AEGIS ship built, provided the value of these advancements. As AEGIS and VLS have evolved in both the Cruiser and Destroyer variants, Cowpens continuously demonstrated their effectiveness and lethality.”

A warship in combat and humanitarian missions

Throughout its service, the USS Cowpens supported coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ship also participated in humanitarian operations, including aid missions in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. These efforts showcased the ship’s ability to transition between combat and relief roles.

Reflecting on the ship’s service, Vice Adm. Edward Moore (Ret.), the first commanding officer of Cowpens, expressed pride in the ship’s legacy and its impact on those who served aboard. “At the end of this day, no matter when we were crewmembers, we can all agree we served on the best ship, the most formidable warship, in the best Navy, and in the best country in the world,” said Moore.

The future of USS Cowpens

Following its decommissioning, the USS Cowpens will be towed to the Navy’s Inactive Ship Facility in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where it will enter Logistic Support Asset (LSA) status. This step is part of the Navy’s effort to manage its ageing fleet and make way for more advanced warships equipped with next-generation technologies.