The US Navy has decommissioned its Ticonderoga-class multi-mission guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) after 32 years of naval service.
A ceremony was held at the Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, US on 16 September to mark the decommissioning of the cruiser.
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It was attended by plankowners and the vessel’s commissioning commanding officer captain Joel Heaton along with former crew members and hundreds of attendees.
Built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, CG 61 was commissioned in June 1990 at Mayport in Florida, US.
USS Monterey current commanding officer commander David Schaller said: “She has served her crews and her nation well and rightfully takes her place among the ships that, for well over 200 years, have played an indispensable role in protecting the US and serving her strategic interests across the world.”
USS Monterey is the fourth US Navy warship to bear this name.
During its over three decades of service, CG 61 has played a significant role in the nation’s defence strategy.
The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser is a large surface combatant can operate independently as well as the flagship of surface action groups, supporting amphibious forces and carrier battle groups.
USS Monterey 11th commanding officer vice admiral Jim Kilby said: “Monterey executed 14 deployments, many availabilities and as many training cycles.
“She was modified over her life to continue to be a relevant and a key ship in our Fleet.
“She will leave a great legacy for many years in the future as those who proudly call themselves Monterey sailors continue to serve our nation.”
Last week, the US Navy decommissioned its Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4).
