USS Monterey (CG 61)

• Namesake Legacy: USS Monterey (CG 61) is the fourth U.S. Navy ship named after the Battle of Monterey, fought during the Mexican-American War in 1846. • Commissioning Date: The ship was commissioned on 16 June 1990, at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. • Ticonderoga-class Cruiser: Monterey is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, featuring the advanced Aegis Combat System. • Operation Odyssey Dawn: In 2011, Monterey played a crucial role in Operation Odyssey Dawn, launching Tomahawk missiles against Libyan air-defense targets. • Global Deployments: The ship has deployed multiple times to the Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean in support of operations such as Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. • Humanitarian Missions: Monterey has participated in disaster relief efforts, including hurricane relief in the Caribbean and support after the Haiti earthquake in 2010. • Missile Interceptions: In June 2011, Monterey was deployed to the Mediterranean as part of NATO's Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) mission, enhancing European security. • First Female XO: In 2001, Monterey made history by welcoming its first female executive officer, Commander Ann Phillips, who later became the ship’s commanding officer. • Capturing Pirates: In 2011, Monterey intercepted a pirate dhow in the Arabian Sea, detaining suspected pirates and disrupting piracy operations. • Decommissioning Plans: As of 2022, the Navy announced plans to decommission Monterey as part of fleet modernization, marking the end of over three decades of distinguished service.