Name USS Monterey Ordered 26 November 1984 Commissioned 16 June 1990 Construction started 19 August 1987 Beam 17 m | Operator United States Navy Laid down 19 August 1987 Length 173 m Launched 23 October 1988 Builder Bath Iron Works | |
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Namesake Battle of Monterrey, Nuevo León | ||
USS Monterey (CG-61) is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser in the United States Navy. It is the fourth US Navy vessel named for the Battle of Monterrey at Monterrey, Nuevo León during the Mexican-American War in 1846. It was built at Bath Iron Works in Maine.
Contents
Selected service history episodes
In 1992 and 1993, Monterey was part of Carrier Group 6, whose flagship at the time was USS America. On 10–11 January, Monterey was underway from Souda Bay, Crete, to Haifa, Israel. From 12–19 January, it was in port in Haifa. From 20–22 January, it was underway from Haifa, Israel for exercise Noble Dina Seven. On 22–23 January, it was in port in Haifa, Israel for post-exercise debriefs, before leaving for a U.S. Navy/NATO Combined Air Defense Exercise. On 29 March, Vice Admiral W. A. Owens, Commander, Sixth Fleet, embarked with a 28-man Army, Navy, and Air Force Staff including BGEN James Mathers (Commanding General, Provide Comfort) at Haifa for the first Joint Task Force Operation at sea in the European Theater, Exercise Juniper Falconry II. From 1–7 April, it was underway for Juniper Falconry II, with a two-day port visit in Haifa on 3–4 April. From 7–9 April, it visited Haifa again for exercise debriefs and to disembark the Joint Task Force.
From 24–26 April 1993, Monterey participated in ASW Proficiency Training as a part of COMPTUEX, the first major exercise the USS America JTG in preparation for MED 3–93. COMPTUEX lasted from 21 April to 14 May and tested the USS America Joint Task Group in coordinated warfare operations. The exercise was a success and the JTG was certified "ready" for more advanced training. In May and June, Monterey conducted port visits to Nassau, Bahamas and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Monterey visited Nassau from 9–12 May as a wrap-up to COMPTUEX and NSRR from 31 May to 3 June prior to a missile exercise with the German Navy.
September 1993 was the first time that USS Monterey served as the Adriatic Cruiser in support of United Nations Resolutions in Operations Sharp Guard, Deny Flight, and Provide Promise. After a stint as the Adriatic Cruiser from 6–13 September, it departed for Izmir, Turkey. After a training anchorage in Izmir from 16–22 September, the Monterey prepared for Exercise Dynamic Guard, hosted by the Turkish Navy. From 22 September to 4 October, it participated in Amphibious, Anti-Air, Anti-Surface, Anti-Subsurface, and Mine warfare events. It served as the Eagle Control ship for the entire exercise, monitoring the airspace above the Aegean Sea for possible territorial airspace violations.
Upon completion of Dynamic Guard, USS Monterey departed for the Adriatic Sea for carrier escort duty with USS America (CV-66) from 6–13 October. While operating in the Adriatic, it participated in numerous Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises with various NATO/WEU ships and aircraft operating in support of United Nation's Resolutions. After detaching from USS America, The Monterey conducted a brief stop in Augusta Bay while en route to Haifa, Israel where it conducted a port visit from 17–28 October.
From 30 October to 5 November, USS Monterey participated in SHAREM 106 in the Adriatic Sea. Upon completion of the exercise, it departed for Volos, Greece. It then conducted a training anchorage from 7–8 November in Volos, Greece in preparation for Exercise Niriis. From 8–13 November, it participated in Exercise Niriis which was hosted by the Greek Navy. It served as the Support Operations Coordinating Authority with the USS Alexandria (SSN-757) during Niriis. Upon completion, Monterey departed for the Adriatic Sea.
In the Adriatic, USS Monterey operated with NATO/WEU forces in support of United Nation's Resolutions. After serving as the Adriatic Cruiser from 15–20 November, it departed for Civitavecchia, Italy, the port city of Rome. While in Civitavecchia, the crew enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday and a welcome break from the high tempo of operations of the past three months.
From 1–16 December 1993, USS Monterey served as the Adriatic Cruiser. During this period, it hosted the Engineering Training Group from Staten Island, New York in preparation for the next year's Operational Propulsion Plant Examination. SECNAV and CINCUSNAVEUR visited from 11–12 December and were very impressed with the ship and the crew. In addition, the Commanders of the NATO/WEU ships in the Southern Adriatic, Capt. Bolongaro of the Italian Navy and Commodore Maddison of the Royal Canadian Navy visited USS Monterey on 2 and 15 December respectively. After completing the ship's duties as Adriatic Cruiser, it departed for Toulon, France.
It arrived in Toulon, France on 20 December and remained there throughout the Christmas and New Years holidays. While in port, the ship underwent voyage repairs. Many crewmembers took leave and vacationed nearby with their partners. The rest of the crew were given tours and dinners by French families through the Adopt-A-Sailor program.
During Carrier Group Seven's deployment in 1998, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 42 (HSL-42), Detachment 2 deployed two SH-60B Seahawk on board the Monterey.
In March 2003, the ship was assigned to Carrier Group 6.
On 4 March 2009, USS Monterey assisted in the first ever German Navy arrest of pirates (9 in all) off the coast of the Horn of Africa. The Monterey dispatched helicopters in the attack of an Antiguan ship, the MV Courier.
In March 2011, USS Monterey was sent to the Mediterranean as the first part of the planned European anti-ballistic missile defense shield. In June 2011, USS Monterey arrived in the Black Sea to participate in multinational military exercises, "Sea Breeze 2011", cosponsored by the U.S. and Ukraine, whose theme is antipiracy operations, leading to protests from Russia.
Awards
On 16 February 2007, Monterey was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.