USS Cushing (DD-985)

• Spruance-class Destroyer: USS Cushing (DD-985) was a Spruance-class destroyer, commissioned on September 21, 1979, and named after Commander William B. Cushing, a celebrated US Navy hero of the Civil War. • Gulf War Service: Cushing participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991, providing escort and anti-aircraft support in the Persian Gulf. • Tomahawk Missile Launch: During Desert Storm, Cushing was among the first ships to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles against Iraqi targets. • Homeport in Yokosuka: In 1994, Cushing shifted her homeport to Yokosuka, Japan, becoming one of the few US destroyers permanently forward-deployed in the Pacific. • Anti-Submarine Specialization: Cushing was equipped with advanced sonar and ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) systems and often served as the flagship of Destroyer Squadron 15 for ASW operations. • Multinational Exercises: The ship took part in numerous multinational naval exercises, including RIMPAC and Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), strengthening alliances in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. • Rescue Operations: In 1997, Cushing aided in the rescue of a merchant vessel in distress in the South China Sea, showcasing the Navy’s humanitarian role. • Decommissioning and Sinking: The ship was decommissioned on September 21, 2005, and later sunk as a target during a SINKEX (Sink Exercise) in July 2008, providing valuable training for live-fire testing. • Advanced Technology: Cushing was among the first destroyers to be fitted with the Vertical Launching System (VLS), greatly increasing her missile firepower and flexibility. • Ship’s Crest Symbolism: The ship’s crest incorporated a torch and a Civil War-era torpedo boat, referencing her namesake’s daring raid to sink the CSS Albemarle in 1864.