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USS Long Beach (CGN-9)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Long Beach (CGN-9)

USS Long Beach (CGN‑9) was originally ordered as CLG (N)‑160. She was reclassified CG (N)‑160 in early 1957, but was again reclassified as CG (N)‑9 on 1 July 1957. Laid down as CG (N) ‑9, 2 December 1957 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Mass.; launched 14 July 1959; sponsored by Mrs. Craig Hosmer, wife of Congressmen Hosmer of California; and commissioned 9 September 1961, Capt. E. P. Wilkinson in command.

The first nuclear‑power surface warship in history, USS Long Beach (CGN‑9) was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet and home ported at Norfolk, Va. The guided‑missile cruiser conducted extensive shakedown testing of her complex weapons and propulsion systems from 2 October to 16 December 1961. Returning to Norfolk 7 February, USS Long Beach (CGN‑9) trained off the east coast and in the Caribbean, on 10 April joining in Atlantic Fleet exercises off North Carolina and Virginia as flagship for Adm. Robert H. Dennison, Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet.

After overhaul and installation of new equipment at Philadelphia, USS Long Beach (CGN‑9) trained in the Caribbean and sailed 6 August 1963 to join the 6th Fleet in its Mediterranean peacekeeping operations. She returned to Norfolk 20 December for coastal and Caribbean operations through 28 April when she sailed for the Mediterranean to join attack carrier USS Enterprise (CVA(N)‑65) and guided‑missile frigate USS Bainbridge (DLG(N)-25) in the formation of the first all nuclear‑powered task group 13 May. 

The summer of 1966 was spent in training and orienting midshipment in the tactics and operations involved in the modern nuclear Navy. After a period of leave and upkeep in the fall, USS Long Beach (CGN‑9) sailed 7 November from Long Beach for the Far East. She arrived on PIRAZ station on the 30th and continued on that vital operation throughout most of her WestPac tour.

USS Long Beach (CGN‑9) arrived back at the west coast on 4 July where, after a well‑deserved period of rest, she resumed the exercises and operations which would keep her well prepared for her return to Vietnam the following year. This next deployment began when she once again left her home on 15 April 1968. As before, USS Long Beach (CGN‑9) spent most of her time on PIRAZ station, guiding the many planes which operated over North Vietnam. This tour of duty in West Pac ended with her arrival again at Long Beach on 16 November.

For a complete history of USS Long Beach (CGN‑9) please see its DANFS page.