USS Mississippi (CGN-40)

• First and Only of Her Name: USS Mississippi (CGN-40) was the fourth ship named after the state of Mississippi, but the only one to serve as a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser. • Commissioning: She was commissioned on August 5, 1978, at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, marking a significant addition to the US Navy’s nuclear surface fleet. • Nuclear Power: As a Virginia-class cruiser, Mississippi was powered by two D2G nuclear reactors, allowing her to operate for years without refueling. • Cold War Service: The ship played a prominent role during the Cold War, escorting aircraft carriers and serving as a deterrent to Soviet naval forces. • Operation Desert Storm: USS Mississippi served with distinction during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, providing air defense for carrier battle groups in the Persian Gulf. • Tomahawk Missiles: She was one of the first ships equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, enhancing her strike capabilities significantly. • Global Deployments: The ship completed numerous deployments to the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Persian Gulf, projecting power worldwide. • Decommissioning: Despite her nuclear power and advanced systems, USS Mississippi was decommissioned early, on July 28, 1997, due to budget cuts and the high cost of nuclear maintenance. • Cruise Book Legend: Crew members fondly referred to her as "Mighty Miss" or "Big Miss," and her cruise books are prized memorabilia among veterans. • Recycling and Legacy: After decommissioning, the ship was defueled and scrapped as part of the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program, but her legacy lives on in the stories of her crew and her role in US naval history.