Decades of Duty: The USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) Story

Join us as we delve into the illustrious 29-year journey of the USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser. Named after the pivotal World War II Battle of Vella Gulf, this ship succeeded the USS Vella Gulf (CVE-111) and was commissioned on September 18, 1993. Vella Gulf, built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi, was a beacon of American naval power, equipped for Anti-Air, Anti-Submarine, Anti-Surface, and Strike warfare. Its advanced Aegis Combat System significantly boosted its combat capabilities. Vella Gulf's operational history is marked by participation in U.S. Baltic Operations '98, Operation Noble Anvil post its "Battle E" award, and pivotal roles in response to 9/11. Joining the USS George Washington Carrier Battle Group, it later transitioned to operations in the Mediterranean and South Asia under Operation Enduring Freedom. Notably, the cruiser was part of anti-piracy operations, including the notable encounter with MV Faina off Somalia in 2008. However, its history also includes a dark chapter in 2012 involving a serious onboard incident. The decommissioning of Vella Gulf in 2022, following a U.S. Navy budgetary decision, marked the end of an era. Discover the legacy of this multi-mission warship in our comprehensive documentary.

[hauserian]

Kinda sucks when one of the most notable events in your ships history is a sexual assault and attempted murder.