USS TEXAS CGN39

• USS Texas (CGN-39) was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser: She was one of the four Virginia-class cruisers, notable for their nuclear propulsion, which gave them virtually unlimited range and endurance at sea. • Commissioned in 1977: The ship was launched on August 9, 1975, and officially commissioned into service on September 10, 1977. • Named after the state of Texas: She was the third ship of the United States Navy to bear the name "Texas." • Equipped with advanced weaponry: USS Texas carried Standard surface-to-air missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and two 5-inch naval guns, as well as anti-submarine torpedoes. • Participated in major Cold War operations: She played a significant role in carrier battle group operations and was deployed multiple times to the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. • Flagship capabilities: USS Texas was often used as a flagship for various commanders due to her advanced communications and command facilities. • Visited by President Ronald Reagan: In 1983, President Reagan visited the ship, highlighting her prominence and importance within the US Navy. • First nuclear-powered surface warship to transit the Suez Canal: In 1980, USS Texas became the first nuclear-powered surface combatant to pass through the Suez Canal, demonstrating US naval reach. • Decommissioned early due to costs: Despite her advanced technology, USS Texas was decommissioned on July 16, 1993, after only 16 years of service, primarily due to the high cost of maintaining nuclear-powered surface ships after the Cold War. • Scrapping and recycling: The ship was defueled and scrapped as part of the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program, marking the end of an era for nuclear-powered cruisers in the US Navy.