USS Vella Gulf (CG-72)

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.