USS Philippine Sea Leaves Norfolk for Final Deployment
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) has sailed for its final mission after 35 years of service. The Philippine warship departed Naval Station Norfolk on Monday for a scheduled tour of duty in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.
“This ship and crew will play a critical role in enhancing regional security and supporting bilateral and multinational efforts to address the unique challenges facing the 4th Fleet,” Admiral Daryl Caudle, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said of the mission in a press release.
“This deployment also underscores our commitment to building a flexible, adaptable force that can meet global requirements while enhancing trust and interoperability with global maritime partners.”
The ship will support the Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-South) in its efforts to deter illicit activity in the Caribbean and Central American maritime routes.
A Philippine warship recently returned from a tour of duty in the Middle East as part of the Eisenhower Strike Group, which includes the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the guided-missile destroyers USS Mason and USS Graveley of Destroyer Squadron 22.
As the aircraft carrier defended commercial shipping in the Red Sea from near-daily attacks by Houthi rebels, the strike group conducted its first air-to-air engagement with drones and used Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) precision-guided bombs in combat for the first time against insurgents. In Yemen
In January 2024, ships in the Philippine Sea were attacked in Yemen in retaliation for weeks of attacks by the militant group on commercial shipping routes. Other notable activities in the Philippine Sea parade include:
- In June 2024, the Philippine Navy assisted in the rescue of crew members from a merchant ship that was attacked by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. A helicopter from Marine Helicopter Squadron 74 transported 24 civilian sailors from the ship to the Philippine Sea.
- In February 2023, the Philippine Sea worked with the USS Oscar Austin and USS Carter Hall to recover a Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by an F-22 after a long journey to the United States.
- In January 2014, the Philippine Navy launched Tomahawk missiles into the Persian Gulf during attacks on Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria.
- On September 14, 2012, the Philippine Sea transported the ashes of Neil Armstrong, the first astronaut to walk on the moon, to his sea grave in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Selected Philippine Sea awards: Combat Action Ribbon (2023-2024); Outstanding Joint Unit Award (1991); Navy Unit Commendation Medal (1991, 2001, 2013); Navy Distinguished Unit Medal (1994, 2017).
Named after the Battle of the Philippine Sea during World War II, the USS Philippine Sea was commissioned in 1989. The nuclear power plant is expected to be decommissioned this year.
