USS Vicksburg (CG-69)

USS Vicksburg (CG-69) is a Ticonderoga-class cruiser guided missile cruiser serving in the United States Navy. She is named for both the land Battle of Vicksburg fought during the American Civil War, and the city of Vicksburg, MS.

Vicksburg was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding, at Pascagoula, Mississippi. Her keel was laid down on 30 May 1990 and she was launched on 7 September 1991. Vicksburg is sponsored by Tricia Lott, wife of United States Senator, Trent Lott. On 12 October 1991, Mrs. Lott christened CG-69 as Vicksburg. She was commissioned on 14 November 1992.

With her guided missiles and rapid-fire cannons, Vicksburg is capable of facing threats in the air, on the sea, ashore, and underneath the sea. She is also capable of carrying two SH-60 Sea Hawk Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS III) helicopters.

CG-69 was originally named Port Royal, but was changed during construction. She is the only Ticonderoga-class vessel to have a formal name change. USS Port Royal (CG-73) was later named Port Royal.

The previous Vicksburg was a light cruiser during and after World War II. CG-69's crest has two stars on the streamer in the eagle's beak representing the two battle stars awarded to her predecessor.

The current commanding officer of the Vicksburg is Captain Logan Jones.

History
On her maiden cruise, the Vicksburg was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-60)'s battle group, which was stationed off the coast of Montenegro. The Vicksburg participated in Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise, serving as an airspace command and control platform. In May 1994, the Vicksburg participated in NATO's "Dynamic Impact 94" exercise in the western Mediterranean, and in August 1994 the Vicksburg joined Operation Able Vigil, helping to intercept Cuban migrants crossing the Florida Straits.

In March 2003 she was assigned to Naval Surface Group Two.

On 16 February 2007, Vicksburg was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award. 

She is currently part of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, which was led until December 2012 by USS Enterprise (CVN-65).

Future
The US Navy was planning to retire Vicksburg along with eight (8) other Ticonderoga class cruisers in fiscal year 2013 in line with U.S. Defense Department budget reductions.

The ship was scheduled to be decommissioned on 31 March 2013. Language inserted into the FY13 House of Representatives Defense Bill retains Vickburg and two other of her sister ships that were slated for decommissioning. Retaining the ships in the active fleet is not supported by the United States Secretary of Defense, and final outcome will be determined by the final FY13 Defense Bill negotiated with the United States Senate. Vicksburg and two other Ticonderoga-class cruisers were retained under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.