The cruiser Leyte Gulf returned to Norfolk, Va., today after a six-month deployment to 6th Fleet, where the ship served as the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 flagship and supported theater security cooperation efforts in Europe.
The cruiser was relieved in late December by her sister ship, the cruiser Vicksburg, which is based out of Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The NATO maritime group, commanded by Rear Adm. Brad Williamson, has a strong counter-terrorism focus and is available for additional NATO tasking.
Leyte Gulf deployed June 25. During this deployment, the crew completed three transatlantic crossings, five multinational exercises with allied countries and multiple surges as part of Operation Active Endeavor, NATO's maritime mission to combat terrorist activities in the Mediterranean region.
"Leyte Gulf has every reason to be proud of the stellar performance exhibited during this deployment," Williamson said in a Dec. 20 press release that came as Leyte Gulf completed its role as his flagship. "The captain and his crew accomplished a great deal as SNMG2's flagship. I wish them the best as they sail home from here and will remain grateful for their service to the alliance."
The oldest ship of its kind on the East Coast, Leyte Gulf was launched in 1986 and is named after the famed battle off the Philippines where the U.S. Navy defeated its Japanese adversaries in October 1944. The cruiser and its crew of 33 officers, 27 chief petty officers and 324 sailors moved from Mayport to Norfolk in 1997.
