About this Unit
USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) was a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy on 18 September 1993. Named after the Battle of Vella Gulf from World War II, the ship served in a variety of roles, including air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime security operations. Throughout her career, USS Vella Gulf deployed multiple times to the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, and other regions, supporting missions such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The cruiser was decommissioned on 4 August 2022, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.
Historical Facts
• Named for a WWII Battle: USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) is named after the Battle of Vella Gulf, a decisive naval engagement fought in August 1943 in the Solomon Islands, during which U.S. destroyers successfully ambushed and sank several Japanese destroyers without suffering any casualties.
• Ticonderoga-Class Cruiser: Vella Gulf is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, equipped with the Aegis Combat System, designed for air, surface, and subsurface warfare.
• Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 18 September 1993 in Norfolk, Virginia, with her sponsor being Mary A. McCauley, widow of a former Navy captain.
• First Ship with the Name: CG-72 is the first U.S. naval vessel to bear the name “Vella Gulf.”
• Operation Allied Force: In 1999, Vella Gulf participated in NATO’s Operation Allied Force, firing Tomahawk cruise missiles during the Kosovo conflict.
• Anti-Piracy Operations: In 2009, Vella Gulf made headlines by capturing Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden, becoming the first U.S. Navy ship to capture pirates at sea in over 200 years.
• Post-9/11 Deployments: After the September 11 attacks, Vella Gulf deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing air defense and maritime security.
• Humanitarian Assistance: The cruiser has participated in several humanitarian missions, including disaster relief operations following hurricanes and other natural disasters.
• Modernizations: Over her service life, Vella Gulf received multiple upgrades to her combat systems, radars, and missile capabilities, keeping her among the most advanced ships in the fleet.
• Decommissioning: USS Vella Gulf was decommissioned on 4 August 2022, after nearly 29 years of distinguished service, reflecting the Navy’s shift toward newer, more advanced warships.
