USS Monterey (CG-61)

USS Monterey (CG-61) is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser in the United States Navy. She is named for the Battle of Monterrey at Monterrey, Nuevo León during the Mexican-American War in 1846. She was built at Bath Iron Works in Maine.

Selected service history episodes
In 1992 and 1993, Monterey was part of Carrier Group 6, whose flagship at the time by America. On 10–11 January, Monterey was underway from Souda Bay, Crete, to Haifa, Israel. From 12–19 January, she was inport in Haifa. From 20–22 January, she was underway from Haifa, Israel for exercise Noble Dina Seven. On 22–23 January, she was inport 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, she was underway for JUniper Falconry II, with a two-day port visit in Haifa on  3–4 April. From 7–9 April, she 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 for 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 09–12 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 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, MONTEREY departed for Izmir, Turkey. After a training anchorage in Izmir from 16–22 September, MONTEREY sortied for Exercise Dynamic Guard which was hosted by the Turkish Navy. From 22 September to 4 October, MONTEREY participated in Amphibious, Anti-Air, Anti-Surface, Anti-Subsurface, and Mine warfare events. MONTEREY also 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, MONTEREY departed for the Adriatic Sea for carrier escort duty with USS AMERICA (CV-66) from 6–13 October. While operating in the Adriatic, MONTEREY also participated in numerous Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises witla various NATO/WEU ships and aircraft also operating in support of United Nation's Resolutions. After detaching from AMEIIICA, MONTEREY conducted a brief stop in Augusta Bay while enroute to Haifa, Israel where MONTEREY conducted a port visit frorn 17–28 October.

From 30 October to 5 November, MONTEREY participated in SHAREM 106 in the Adriatic Sea. Upon completion of the exercise, MONTEREY departed for Volos, Greece. MONTEREY conducted a training anchorage from 7–8 November in Volos, Greece in preparation for Exercise Niriis. From 8–13 November, MONTEREY participated in Exercise Niriis which was hosted by the Greek Navy. MONTEREY served as the Support Operations Coordinating Authority with the USS ALEXANDRIA (SSN-757) during Niriis. Upon completion of the exercise, MONTEREY departed for the Adriatic Sea.

In the Adriatic, MONTEREY operated with NATO/WEU forces in support of United Nation's Resolutions. After serving as the Adriatic Cruiser from 15–20 November, MONTEREY departed for Civitavecchia, Italy, the port city for Rome. While in Civitavecchia, MONTEREY1s 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), MONTEREY again served as the Adriatic Cruiser. During this period, MONTEREY hosted the Engineering Training Group from Staten Island, New York in preparation for next year's Operational Propulsion Plant Examination. SECNAV and CINCUSNAVEUR visited from 11–12 December and were very impressed with the ship and her 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 MONTEREY on 2 and 15 December respectively. After completing her duties as Adriatic Cruiser, MONTEREY departed for Toulon, France.

MONTEREY arrived in Toulon, France on 20 December and remained there throughout the Christmas and New Years holidays. While inport, the ship underwent voyage repairs. Many crewmembers took leave and vacationed nearby with their wives. The rest of the crew took advantage of the hospitality of the French people and were treated to tours and dinners by French families who showed their hospitality 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.