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Vella Gulf II (CG-72)

1993-2022

A naval engagement in the Solomons campaign of World War II, fought in Vella Gulf between the islands of Vella Lavella and Kolombangara, the battle joined shortly before midnight on the night of 6 August 1943. In the Battle of Vella Gulf, six U.S. destroyers: Dunlap (DD-384), Craven (DD-382), Maury (DD-401), Lang (DD-399), Sterett (DD-407), and Stack (DD-406), under Comdr. Frederick Moosbrugger attacked four Japanese destroyers attempting to reinforce the garrison on Kolombangara. The American warships closed, undetected, and fired torpedoes that sank Hagikaze, Arashi, and Kawakaze; only Shigure escaped the onslaught. Some 200 Japanese soldiers died that night. Comdr. Moosbrugger’s ships emerged from the action unscathed.

(CG-72: displacement 9,650; length 567'; beam 55'; draft 33'; speed 30 knots; complement 376; armament Standard SM-2, Tomahawk, Harpoon, ASROC, Mk 46 torpedoes, 5-inch, Close In Weapon System, two SH-60B LAMPS Mk III helicopters; class Ticonderoga)

1991

The second Vella Gulf (CG 72) was laid down on 22 April 1991 at Pascagoula, Miss., by Litton Industries, Ingalls Shipbuilding Division; launched on 13 June 1992; sponsored by Mary A. McCauley, wife of Vice Adm. William F. McCauley (Ret.); and commissioned alongside Pier 12, Naval Operating Base (NOB) Norfolk, Va., on 18 September 1993, Capt. Constantine L. Xefteris in command.

Vella Gulf loaded her ammunition at Naval Weapons Station, Earle, N.J. (22–23 September), then visited New York City (23–26 September). The crew participated in a patriotic gala, “Salute to Freedom,” on board Intrepid (CVS 11) Sea, Air, and Space Museum (24 September). The NBC New York Weekend Morning show broadcast live from Vella Gulf (25 September), and then Fox New York’s “Good Day New York” broadcast the weather report from the cruiser (27 September). She returned to Norfolk on 28 September.

1992-1993

Vella Gulf then trained off the Virginia capes and southward toward Florida. Heavy seas caused her fuel tank bulkheads to pant, and the ship completed voyage repairs to the tanks at Litton Industries Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Mayport, Fla. (24–26 October 1993). She steamed to Port Everglades, Fla., with Magnum 445, a Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light—HSL) 44 Detachment 8 embarked. The cruiser carried out the in-port phase of her Weapons Systems Accuracy Trials at Port Everglades (28–31 October), followed by additional acoustic and torpedo trials on the ranges at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) off Florida and the Bahamas (1–4 November). She then completed additional tests in Puerto Rican waters, including visits to Roosevelt Roads (7–8 November) and San Juan (23–27 November). Vella Gulf concluded her training by providing naval gunfire support to the Joint Special Operations Command at the range on Vieques Island, P. R. En route her return to Norfolk, the ship operated at the Wallops Island Flight Facility, Md. (5–6 December), and reached her home port on 7 December.

1994

She made for Puerto Rican waters for additional training (11–15 January 1994), and then sailed a counter-narcotics patrol with Joint Task Force (JTF) 4 in the Caribbean through the end of the month. The ship also visited Cartagena, Colombia (27 January), and Port Everglades (3–5 February), and returned to Norfolk on 10 February. Vella Gulf trained off the Virginia capes at times in February and March, and on 4 April sailed to Pascagoula. The ship completed work at the Ingalls yard (9–11 April), ran her final contract trials in the Gulf of Mexico (11–13 April), and underwent post shakedown availability (13 April–26 June). She returned to Norfolk on 1 July.

Vella Gulf accomplished deperming (11–13 July 1994), and sailed on 1 August to take part in the Maine Lobster Festival at Rockland (4–7 August), returning to Norfolk on 10 August. She made for the Caribbean for additional counter-narcotics patrols as part of JTF-4 (31 August–8 October). The ship embarked Magnum 456,a Seahawk of HSL-44 Detachment 6, embarking the first female LAMPS pilots on board the cruiser. During the ship’s operations in the Caribbean, she visited Guantánamo Bay, Cuba (3–4 September and 3 October) and Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles (30 September–2 October).

A severe storm swept into 83-foot merchant vessel Mescalero off the coast of Honduras on 22 September 1994. A waterspout tore off her mast and life raft and twisted the hull, separating some of the wooden planks. The boat began to take on water and Master Frank Collins issued a distress call. Collins reached Coast Guard Communications Station New Orleans, La., which contacted Coast Guard Group 7. The group dispatched a Lockheed HC-130 Hercules from Key Largo, Fla., which flew toward Mescalero’s last reported position. The group also queried JTF-4 concerning available ships or aircraft.

Vella Gulf had reached a position 119 miles from Mescalero when JTF-4 contacted the cruiser and ordered her to come about. Vella Gulf made for the stricken vessel at 25 knots, and launched Magnum 456, manned by Lieutenants Dana Gordon and Franklin, and Aviation Warfare Systems Operators 1st Class Robert Alexander and 2d Class Scott Palmer. “It was dark, raining, visibility was next to nothing making it almost impossible to spot the boat,” aircraft commander Gordon recalled. “We finally contacted them on radio and spotted a flare they fired, but the storm made it very difficult.” Mescalero foundered by the bow, and Palmer, the helo’s swimmer, dropped into the stormy water. Palmer swam to the boat, and one-by-one assisted the five crewmen to the hoist. The Seahawk hoisted the men aloft and returned them to the cruiser. Mescalero apparently sank shortly after the rescue, though no one saw the boat slip under because of the fierce weather. The five men recovered on board Vella Gulf, and Magnum 456 flew them to Grand Cayman two days later.

1995

The ship visited Port Canaveral, Fla. (1–2 January 1995), then sailed for a counter-narcotics patrol in the Caribbean, capping that duty with a port visit to Nassau, Bahamas (16–19 January) before she returned to Norfolk on 21 January. Vella Gulf accomplished maintenance and took part in a number of training exercises into the summer, including Operation Hornet’s Nest, a USMC air warfare exercise off Beaufort, S.C. (27–30 March), and Sharem antisubmarine training (27–30 April) and a Composite Training Unit Exercise (CompTuEx, 1–13 May), both in Puerto Rican waters. These exercises including support of the Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile program by acting as a primary tracking platform for a test of a kinetic kill vehicle.

Vella Gulf, with two Seahawks of HSL-44 embarked, then deployed to the Arabian Gulf in company with guided missile frigate Stark (FFG 31) on 13 June 1995. She accomplished repairs at Punta Delgada, Azores (21 June), reached the Sixth Fleet the following day, and stopped at Malaga, Spain (23–27 June), and Haifa, Israel (3–6 July). The ship passed through the Suez Canal (8 July), reached the Fifth Fleet the following day, and transited the Strait of Hormuz into the Arabian Gulf (15 July). Vella Gulf anchored at Bahrain (17–22 July), where Capt. Peter W. Marzluff relieved Capt. Xefteris as commanding officer on 21 July. The cruiser then patrolled the Arabian Gulf, stopping briefly at Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), (2–6 August), before resuming her patrols.

Following Gulf War I, the coalition established Maritime Interception Operations (MIOs) to enforce UN Security Council Resolutions imposed against the Iraqis. The UN prohibited cargo originating from Iraq and imports not accompanied by UN authorization letters, though the food-for-oil agreement permitted the Iraqis to sell limited amounts of oil to pay for food and medicine. Vella Gulf primarily performed MIOs during her deployment, though also took part in Operation Southern Watch—the enforcement of the southern no fly zone over Iraq—and supporting Operation Vigilant Sentinel. At times, the ship controlled Grumman F-14A Tomcats of Fighter Squadron (VF) 213, and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornets of Strike Fighter squadrons (VFAs) 22 and 94, flying from aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

The ship conducted ‘carrier shotgun’ operations with Abraham Lincoln (15–18 August 1995), then continued to patrol the Arabian Gulf, punctuating her routine by visiting Dubai (26 August–8 September), Bahrain (20–24 September), and Dubai again (6–12 October). Sister ship Vicksburg (CG 69) relieved Vella Gulf on 21 October. Vella Gulf’s Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team boarded and inspected a total of nine ships while performing MIOs during the deployment.

The guided missile cruiser came about, accomplished repairs at Jiddah, Saudi Arabia (28 October 1995), then passed through the Suez Canal (1 November). She operated with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, and carried out shallow water upgrades to the AN/SQS-53C sonar with the Spanish Navy while anchored at Alicante, Spain (5–7 November). The cruiser passed through the Strait of Gibraltar (8 November), visited Rota, Spain (8–10 November), embarked her Tigers (sons of crewmembers) at Bermuda (18 November), and returned with guided missile frigates Halyburton (FFG 40) and Stark to Norfolk on 21 November.

1996

The cruiser carried out maintenance and trained off the Virginia capes and southward to Florida through the summer. Capt. James W. Phillips relieved Capt. Marzluff as the commanding officer on 8 June 1996. Vella Gulf concluded a CompTuEx off Puerto Rico and Cherry Point, N.C. (8 August–19 September). The exercise included Standard SM-2 surface-to-air missile, RGM-84 Harpoon surface-to-surface missile, and Mk 46 torpedo firings, and visits to St. Croix, Virgin Islands (22–25 August), and Pensacola, Fla. (7–9 September). In addition, she test fired a BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) (10 September). The ship completed a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEx, 11–23 October).

Vella Gulf deployed to the Mediterranean and Arabian Sea on 25 November 1996. She reached the Sixth Fleet on 9 December, and then made for the Adriatic to rendezvous with aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for NATO Operation Decisive Endeavor, part of Operation Joint Endeavour, the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords within Bosnia and Herzegovina and Yugoslavia (12–22 December). Vella Gulf then operated as Adriatic Red Crown, independently of Theodore Roosevelt, while she worked with a USAF Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft to monitor the skies over the Adriatic, and over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Yugoslavia.

1997

Vella Gulf rounded off the year by visiting Valletta, Malta (23 December 1996–3 January 1997). The cruiser returned to the Adriatic for Decisive Endeavor (3–13 January), and then came about and visited Naples, Italy (13–16 January), Cannes, France (20–26 January), and Palma de Mallorca, Spain (28–31 January). Vella Gulf participated with attack submarine Atlanta (SSN 712) in Exercise Whale Watch in the Strait of Sicily (3–7 February), and then separately in Island Thunder in the Tyrrhenian Sea (10–14 February). During Island Thunder, the ship fired more than 200 5-inch rounds supporting amphibious landings on the Sardinian coast. Following the exercises, she put in to Naples (15–17 February), Genoa, Italy (18–20 February), and Rhodes, Greece (25 February–2 March).

Vella Gulf sailed with British, Greek, Italian, and Turkish ships during InvitEx, a NATO multi-warfare exercise in the Mediterranean (2–12 March 1997). The ship steamed toward the Suez Canal, stopping at Alexandria, Egypt (12–14 March), before she passed through the canal on 16 March. Vella Gulf escorted Theodore Roosevelt in the Red Sea and the Northern Arabian Gulf during Southern Watch. A second SH-60B Seahawk cross-decked from sister ship Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and embarked on board Vella Gulf while she operated with the Fifth Fleet. The cruiser also took part in an experimental theater ballistic missile defense tracking exercise. She visited Dubai (9–12 April), and then sailed from the Arabian Gulf. The ship passed through the Suez Canal on 20 April, and completed NATO exercises Eagle Arena with the Egyptian military and Poopdeck with Spanish forces in the Mediterranean (20–30 April). Vella Gulf visited Palma de Mallorca (1–9 May) before turning for home. Aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CV 67) relieved Theodore Roosevelt on 11 May, and Vella Gulf returned to Norfolk on 22 May.

Vella Gulf trained off the Virginia capes at times during September and October 1997. On 8 October, she sailed for New England waters and visited Newport, R.I. (10–15 October). The cruiser took part in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the launching of the frigate Constitution (21 October 1797) at Boston, Mass. (17–21 October), before returning to Norfolk on 24 October. Additional training in the Atlantic and off the Virginia capes included a visit to Savannah, Ga. (1–3 November).

1998-1999

Capt. Brian G. Schires relieved Capt. Phillips as the commanding officer on 24 April 1998. The cruiser trained with allied ships in the Baltic (1 May–30 June). The ship spent 14 days at sea to accomplish the Total Ship Training Availability I and II, and to evade Hurricane Bonnie (mid–late August). She took part in a Second Fleet exercise that included a visit to St. John, Virgin Islands (November). Capt. Richard A. Feckler relieved Capt. Schires as the commanding officer on 16 December 1999.

2000–2001

The ship completed an overhaul at Marine Hydraulics International shipyard, Norfolk (1 January–30 June 2000). The cruiser also hosted the Spanish training ship El Juan Sabastian Elcano during Operation Sail 2000 (16 June). Vella Gulf accomplished a variety of training and upkeep requirements following her overhaul. In addition, the British Broadcasting Corporation visited the ship to support a Discovery Channel documentary on AEGIS-equipped warships (10 August). She visited New York City (5–10 November), and then participated in a series of missile and torpedo firing exercises off the Maryland coast (12–15 November). The training included the ship’s first firing of the Mk 53 Nulka Decoy Launching System.

Vella Gulf visited Tampa, Fla. (18–22 January 2001). The ship completed a drydock and ship availability at Metro-Marine, Portsmouth, Va. (14–28 February). She then worked-up with Theodore Roosevelt but discovered additional problems that necessitated a return to Metro-Marine (1–7 March). HSL-48 Detachment 5 embarked on board (3 March). Following her second period of yard work, Vella Gulf trained off the Virginia capes (8–20 March), that included operating as the air defense commander during dual aircraft carrier operations with George Washington (CVN 73) and Theodore Roosevelt (10 March).

The cruiser sailed for training off the east coast on 25 April 2001, and took part in Broward County Navy Days at Port Everglades (30 April–3 May). She completed a CompTuEx (1–30 June) and a series of exercises off the east coast and in the Caribbean during the summer, including a visit to Roosevelt Roads (2–4 August), and a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEx, 10–18 August).

Al-Qāidah terrorists attacked the U.S. on 11 September 2001. Within four hours of receiving notification of the attack, Vella Gulf emergency sortied into the eastern Atlantic. She then received orders to assume North Eastern Air Defense Commander (ADC). She established tactical data links and radar coverage and helped coordinate fighter combat air patrols over Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., and developed command and control communications for the support and execution of homeland defense and air traffic control (11–14 September).

Vella Gulf loaded her final supplies of ammunition for deployment on 17 September 2001. Theodore Roosevelt sailed on 19 September, but Vella Gulf, with HSL-48 Detachment 5 embarked, sailed on Deployment 03-01 on 21 September, and made speed to rendezvous with the carrier. The ships passed through the Strait of Gibraltar overnight on 1 October. The cruiser visited Dukahyla, Egypt (9–11 October), and then participated in NATO exercise Bright Star 01/02 (12–23 October). The massive exercise involved more than 74,000 servicemembers from 44 countries. The scenarios included live-fire training, amphibious and desert operations, and force-on-force war games, and had been scheduled prior to the terrorist attacks. Vella Gulf visited Souda Bay, Crete (24–27 October).

The ship passed through the Suez Canal on 29 October 2001, through Bab el-Mandeb on 1 November, and the Strait of Hormuz (11 November). A flag that flew over the World Trade center in New York was flown out to Vella Gulf, and on 13 November the ship raised the colors. Journalists from WTKR News Channel 3 from Norfolk embarked overnight to report the event (13–14 November). Vella Gulf relieved guided missile cruiser Princeton (CG 59) as the TF 50 (alternate) ADC (15–19 November), and assumed the task force’s ADC for Operation Enduring Freedom on 23 November. In addition, the ship functioned as the Force Over-the Horizon Track Coordinator on 7 December. A Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation Holiday show starring celebrity Jessica Simpson performed for the ship on 22 December, and journalists from ABC News “Nightline” embarked (28–30 December).

2002

The ship sailed through the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Arabian Gulf on 6 January 2002. She visited Al Manama, Bahrain (13–16 January), and then came about and passed through the Strait of Hormuz on 17 January. Vella Gulf turned over her duties as TF 50 ADC for Enduring Freedom on 25 January. Capt. Ralph M. Rikard, Jr., relieved Capt. Feckler as the commanding officer on 28 January. The cruiser assumed duties as the MIO/Leadership Interdiction support ship on 3 February. Allied planners concerned about the escape of terrorists via ships from Afghanistan developed Leadership Interception Operations to catch suspicious vessels sailing off the Iranian and Pakistani coasts.

Vella Gulf intercepted coastal tanker Lina, of undetermined registry, in the Gulf of Oman (16–19 February 2002). Lina had previously smuggled Iraqi oil, but the modified and reinforced locking measures fitted around the tanker had delayed a coalition boarding party from entering and taking control of the ship prior to her escape into territorial waters. In this instance, Lina disregarded repeated bridge-to-bridge queries. Vella Gulf radioed an Iranian vessel for assistance, and the Iranian ship compelled the smuggler to enter international waters.

The cruiser intercepted Lina, but the tanker attempted to ram her. Vella Gulf backed and avoided a collision as the ships passed at a range of 150 yards. The ship dispatched her VBSS team, which included an eight-man Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), to board and inspect the suspect. Lina maneuvered threateningly, and a Seahawk covered the sailors while they boarded. Reinforced and welded entrances further impeded the boarders, but they secured the ship and detained 21 crewmembers. None of the boarders sustained injuries during the non-compliant boarding, and the Americans towed Lina to a holding area in the Arabian Gulf. Further investigation and inspection revealed that Lina operated as a communications ship to guide smugglers.

The ship escorted Theodore Roosevelt through the Strait of Hormuz on 23 February 2002. She visited Bahrain (24–28 February), and escorted Theodore Roosevelt when the carrier came about and returned through the Strait of Hormuz to the Arabian Sea on 28 February. Vella Gulf steamed through Bab el-Mandeb on 5 March and through the Suez Canal on 8 March. Theodore Roosevelt also passed through the Suez Canal. Earlier in the cruise, Lt. Clarence J. Ervin of Vella Gulf had shifted to Theodore Roosevelt to monitor airspace during strikes over Afghanistan. Ervin disappeared from the carrier just after roll call as she crossed the Mediterranean. Two Seahawks of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 11 launched from the carrier, and an SH-60B flying from the cruiser searched into the next day, but the helos failed to locate the man overboard. Egyptian sailors discovered Ervin’s body in the water near Port Sayeed Lighthouse on 13 March. Vella Gulf visited Valletta (11–15 March), sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar and reached the Second Fleet on 18 March, and returned to Norfolk on 25 March.

Vella Gulf completed a Board of Inspection and Survey inspection (24–28 June 2002), followed by a dry dock availability and repairs at Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, Va. (1 July–27 September). The ship served as an opposition force against aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during a JTFEx (28 October–5 November 2002).

2003

The ship sailed to the Baltic (24 May 2003), visited Gydnia, Poland (5 June), and trained with guided missile destroyer Ross (DDG 71) and the British, Danes, Estonians, Finns, French, Germans, Latvians, Lithuanians, Poles, Russians, and Swedes during Baltic Operations 2003 (5–23 June). A Russian Kamov Ka-27 Helix, operating from guided missile destroyer Nastoychivyy (DDG.610), landed on board Vella Gulf several times and refueled once from the cruiser, marking the first time that a Russian helicopter accomplished these evolutions on board the ship (15 June). The exercise also included the opportunity to track two diesel-powered attack submarines—Polish Orp Sęp (SSC 295) and Swedish HälsinglandVella Gulf visited Kiel, Germany (20–23 June), before she returned to Norfolk on 3 July.

Capt. Michael D. Davis relieved Capt. Rikard as the commanding officer on 9 July 2003. Vella Gulf shifted berths at Norfolk to change out her No. 1B Gas Turbine Engine (11 August). Hurricane Isabel devastated areas of the Gulf and East Coasts of the U.S. during the summer, and on 16 September Vella Gulf emergency sortied to escape the tempest. The ship completed a CompTuEx (13 November–19 December), that including participating in the SinkEx (sinking) of decommissioned and stricken destroyer tender ex-Yosemite (AD 19) on 18 November.

2004

Vella Gulf deployed to the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf on 20 January 2004, and reached the Sixth Fleet on 24 January. She cross-decked with Canadian frigate Toronto (FFH.333), (27–29 January), and passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on 1 February. The cruiser visited Souda Bay (6–10 February) and sailed through the Suez Canal on 16 February. Vella Gulf transited the Bab el-Mandeb on 20 February, and passed through the Strait of Hormuz on 28 February. She often served as the ADC for George Washington during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Capt. Davis reported that Vella Gulf carried out her motto of “Move swiftly and strike vigorously.” The cruiser came about for “urgent missing tasking” and passed through the Strait of Hormuz on 11 March to operate in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean, returning through the strait on 15 March. Vella Gulf fought in Iraqi Freedom, then visited Dubai (24–29 March).

Al-Qāidah attacked the Iraqi offshore infrastructure in the Northern Arabian Gulf on 25 April 2004. At 1730, coastal patrol craft Firebolt (PC 10) launched a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), manned by seven sailors, to enforce a security zone around the Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal. Suicide bombers steered an explosives-rigged dhow at the terminal, but the RHIB turned to intercept the dhow. The terrorists abruptly turned their boat toward the RHIB and at 1816 triggered their explosives alongside, capsizing the RHIB. Sixteen minutes later, two other boats sped toward Panamanian-flagged tanker Takasuzu, moored at the Al Basra Oil Terminal. Task Force Shield (the garrison) opened small arms fire on the attackers. The first boat exploded alongside Takasuzu without appreciably damaging the tanker. The second boat struck the tanker to starboard but failed to explode, and broke up and sank.

The attack killed three of the sailors on board the RHIB: 27-year-old Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Michael J. Pernaselli, USN, 28-year-old Signalman 2d Class Christopher E. Watts, USN, and 24-year-old Damage Controlman 3d Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, USCG. The explosion also wounded all of the other men on board: Operations Specialist 1st Class Alan R. Daily, USN, Communications Technician 2d Class Nathan D. Kisner, USN, Engineman 3d Class Timothy A. Carlton, USN, and 23-year-old Boatswain’s Mate 3d Class Joseph T. Ruggiero, USCG. The Navy sailors served with coastal patrol craft Firebolt (PC 10) and Thunderbolt (PC 12), and the Coast Guardsmen with LEDET 403, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia.

Two HH-60Hs of HS-5 flying from George Washington, an Australian Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk operating from frigate Stuart (FFH.153), and an MH-60S of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 6 Detachment 6, embarked on board Supply (T AOE 6), evacuated the wounded men to Kuwait Military Hospital. George Washington also launched one Tomcat, one Hornet, three Lockheed S-3B Vikings of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31, and one Grumman E-2C Hawkeye of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 that patrolled over the Northern Arabian Gulf and southern Iraq for additional terrorists, and searched for other possible survivors of the attack blown into the water. A land-based Lockheed P-3C Orion of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 diverted from another flight and supplemented these patrols.

Vella Gulf patrolled the Arabian Gulf when the attack occurred, and she made speed to reach the area. The cruiser coordinated and controlled the aircraft operating from George Washington, and also launched a Seahawk that protected the oil platforms. Additional vessels that reinforced the patrols in the area included guided missile cruiser Yorktown (CG 48), patrol craft Chinook (PC 9), Coast Guard cutters Adak (WPB 1333) and Wrangel (WPB 1332), and fleet ocean tug Catawba (T ATF 168).

The cruiser came about and resumed her participation in Iraqi Freedom, punctuating her operations with visits to Jebel Ali, UAE (7–12 May and 11–15 June 2004). The ship passed through the Strait of Hormuz on 3 July, and turned over her duties to John F. Kennedy and her consorts two days later. She transited Bab el-Mandeb on 8 July, the Suez Canal on 11 July, and visited Valletta (13–16 July). Vella Gulf passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on 18 July, and returned to Norfolk on 26 July. During her deployment, the ship’s VBSS team boarded and inspected about 100 vessels, ranging in displacement from tankers to dhows. The ship then visited Port Everglades (4–7 October 2004).

2005

Vella Gulf completed two maintenance availabilities at Marine Hydraulics (19 January–22 March 2005 and 27 June–10 September 2005), including the enhancement of the Ship’s Signal Exploitations Space and replacement of the sonar dome. Capt. Stephen F. Davis, Jr., relieved Capt. Michael D. Davis as the commanding officer on 19 August. On 12 September, Capt. Davis relieved 47-year-old Command Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William Sidwell because of “fraternization” with a female junior enlisted sailor—she was reassigned to a different command.

Vella Gulf trained off the Virginia capes (3–17 November 2005). While the ship crossed Chesapeake Bay en route to the Naval Academy, Capt. Russell S. Crenshaw, USN (Ret.), spoke to the crew during an all-hands call. Crenshaw had served as the executive officer and antisubmarine warfare officer on board destroyer Maury (DD 401) during the Battle of Vella Gulf, and he offered naval combat lessons from his experience. The ship then visited the Naval Academy (4–7 November) and Mayport (11–14 November) before returning to Norfolk.

2006

The cruiser sailed on 18 January 2006, served as a school ship at the Surface Warfare Officer’s School at Newport (23–27 January), and returned to Norfolk on 2 February. She then made for Charleston, S.C., on 8 March, and visited that city (10–13 March) before operating as an opposition force against aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 65) during a CompTuEx (14–20 March). Vella Gulf completed a Board of Inspection and Survey inspection during the first week of May.

The ship operated as part of Commander Carrier Strike Group 10 (17 May–6 July 2006). She embarked Aircraft No. 455 and Aircraft No. 456, two SH-60Bs of HSL-44 Detachment 1, and sailed to take part in Baltic Operations 2006 on 17 May.

That same day, two Dutch sailors, 47-year-old Robert Dirven and 50-year-old Johan Aarden, put to sea in their 41-foot sloop from Connecticut for the Azores. Fierce weather struck the boat, and 55-knot winds ripped four sails and the rigging (21–22 May 2006). The engine and bilge pumps incurred problems, the men became dehydrated, and Dirven fell down a ladder and cracked a rib. They radioed their distress to the Norfolk Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center, which alerted Vella Gulf.

When the cruiser received the message at 1030 on 22 May 2006, she had reached a position about 1,300 miles east of Boston and 62 miles from the stricken boat. She immediately came about and raced to the position. Ensign Greg Page, officer in charge, Chief Petty Officers Chaney Warrior and Steve Fortner, and Petty Officers 2d Class Aaron Haight and Greg Moon, manned a RHIB and fought 10 to 20 foot seas and 25 knot winds and rescued both mariners. The RHIB, reinforced by Petty Officer 2d Class Justin Smally, returned to the sailboat when the weather calmed and scuttled her in 2,000 fathoms of water to prevent a hazard to navigation. The cruiser then continued on to the Baltic.

The multi-national exercise emphasized the initiative for Partnership for Peace amongst the Baltic nations, and comprised 2,000 people, 15 ships, two submarines, and 30 aircraft from the British, Danish, French, German, Latvian, Polish, Russian, and Swedish forces. Vella Gulf visited Karlshamn, Sweden (2–4 June 2006), Kiel (16–20 June), Gydnia (21–25 June), and Portsmouth, England (28 June), and returned to Norfolk on 6 July.

She took part in JTFEx 06-2 Operation Bold Step off the east coast (21–31 July 2006). The multinational exercise comprised more than 16,000 servicemembers and 30 ships and submarines from five countries. The principal U.S. ships included aircraft carriers Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Theodore Roosevelt, and amphibious assault ships Bataan (LHD 5) and Wasp (LHD 2). Allied vessels included Colombian attack submarine Tayrona (SS 29) and French attack submarine Emeraude (S 604). Soldiers of the Army’s 34th Infantry Division and the Canadian 8th Brigade group made up the Combined Coalition Force Land Component Command during the exercise.

Vella Gulf next completed integration training with the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group, comprising Bataan, amphibious transport dock Shreveport (LPD 12), dock landing ship Oak Hill (LSD 51), guided missile destroyer Nitze (DDG 94), guided missile frigate Underwood (FFG 36), and attack submarine Scranton (SSN 746) off the east coast (16–26 August 2006).

The ship visited Mayport (9–11 September 2006), took part in antisubmarine exercise Seawiti, and returned to Mayport (16–18 September). The ship rendezvoused with Bataan and provided nighttime fire support for marine spotters at Camp Lejeune, N.C. She then accomplished a continuous maintenance availability at Norfolk (25 September–13 October), followed by additional training with Bataan off Cherry Point (23 October–12 November).

2007

Vella Gulf deployed with the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (BataanShreveportOak HillNitzeUnderwood, and Scranton) to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean on 4 January 2007. The amphibious ships embarked the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). Vella Gulf reached the Sixth Fleet on 10 January, and sailed through the Suez Canal and entered the Central Command on 30 January. She carried out Maritime Security Operations (MSOs), which provided security and stability in the region.

A Bell UH-1N of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 264 crashed while taking part in exercise Edged Mallet ’07 with Kenyan forces at Naval Station Manda Bay, Kenya. The accident injured two of the six marines on board the Iroquois, but other marines rescued and evacuated all six of the men to BataanVella Gulf passed through the Suez Canal on 1 June, visited Rota (14–20 June), and returned to Norfolk on 3 July. Capt. Mark D. Genung relieved Capt. Davis as the commanding officer on 10 August 2007.

2008

The ship took part in Fleet Week at Port Everglades during late April and early May 2008. Vella Gulf, with HSL-42 Detachment 1 embarked, deployed as part of the Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Expeditionary Strike Group to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean on 26 August 2008. The ship carried out MSOs and supported Iwo Jima during those evolutions.

Pirates seized Belize-flagged roll-on roll-off ship Faina, operated by Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine, off the coast of Somalia on 25 September 2008. The vessel carried an estimated $30 million of Russian military equipment. The ship’s master reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after being taken hostage, and the pirates held Faina and her surviving 20 crewmen near Hobyo, Somalia. Vella Gulf operated as the on-scene commander (OSC) and led a variety of coalition ships and aircraft that monitored the pirates around the clock.

“Our successful mission as the OSC of the M/V Faina crisis was the longest and most challenging [of the deployment]…” the cruiser’s commanding officer, Capt. Genung, recounted, “…in what became a highly-complex ransom negotiation process.” The captain noted that Vella Gulf’s operations prevented the pirates from smuggling the arms on board Faina into Somalia and saved the crewmembers. “We de-escalated several tense situations when the pirates made credible threats to the Faina hostages and Vella Gulf.”

2009

Vella Gulf relieved amphibious transport dock San Antonio (LPD 17) as the flagship of Combined TF 151, a multinational task force that conducted counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean, on 4 February 2009. Rear Adm. Terence E. McKnight broke his flag in command of the force in the cruiser. The following day, the pirates released Faina—purportedly after receiving a ransom payment. Sailors from guided missile destroyer Mason (DDG 87) boarded Faina and provided food, water, and medical support to the survivors, while Catawba refueled the ship and replenished her fresh water supply.

Piracy continued unabated. Brigands attacked Marshall Islands-flagged motor vessel Polaris in the Gulf of Aden, and she issued a distress call at 1500 on 11 February 2009. Vella Gulf came about, made speed for the area, and captured seven pirates. At 1600 the following day, additional pirates in a skiff fired at Indian-flagged Prem Divya and attempted to board the merchantman. A Seahawk flying from Vella Gulf raced to the area and signaled for the skiff to stop. The pirates continued and the helo fired a warning shot, which the pirates also ignored. The Seahawk then fired a second warning shot and the skiff stopped. VBSS teams from Vella Gulf and Mason boarded the boat and apprehended nine more pirates, together with their weapons, including a rocket propelled grenade launcher. The cruiser transferred the 16 pirates to a temporary holding facility on board the dry cargo ship Lewis and Clark (T AKE 1).

Vella Gulf subsequently came about, passed through the Suez Canal, and in early March 2009 visited Haifa. The ship returned to Norfolk on 27 March. Capt. Mark S. Young relieved Capt. Genung as the commanding officer on 23 April. The following month, the ship took part in Fleet Week at New York. She completed a selected restricted availability at BAE Systems, South Norfolk (late 2009–March 2010).

2010

Vella Gulf participated in Joint Warrior 10-1 in northern European waters (29 March–7 May 2010). The exercise included visits to Faslane, Scotland, and ports in Poland and Norway. The ship incurred engineering problems during the cruise, and conducted emergency repairs in dry dock at BAE Systems, South Norfolk (10 May–23 June).

Vella Gulf deployed to the Mediterranean on 8 July 2010. The ship visited Rota on 17 July, and then sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar and put in to Augusta Bay, Sicily (21–26 July). The cruiser provided ballistic missile defense across the eastern Mediterranean, punctuating her patrols with visits to Haifa (29–31 July, 1–3 August, 8–12 August, and 25 August), Limassol, Cyprus (7–10 September), Bodrum, Turkey (22–25 September), Haifa (4 October), Souda Bay (13–22 October), Haifa (4–9 November), and Kusadasi, Turkey (24–27 November). Vella Gulf next visited Rhodes, Greece (7–12 December), where heavy winds and seas pulled bollards from the pier, compelling the ship to carry out an emergency sortie. She then visited Souda Bay (22–30 December).

2011

Relieved of her Sixth Fleet duties by guided missile destroyer Stout (DDG 55), Vella Gulf returned to Norfolk on 15 January 2011, where Capt. Mark W. Harris relieved Capt. Young as the commanding officer on 28 January The ship trained primarily for ballistic missile defense and accomplished upkeep throughout the year. Vella Gulf extended her operations during one of these training exercises to evade Hurricane Irene in August.

Vella Gulf deployed to the Mediterranean on 3 January 2012. The ship visited Rota (12–16 January), where she relieved guided missile destroyer Ramage (DDG 61) of her ballistic missile patrols in the Sixth Fleet. The cruiser then sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar, visited Souda Bay (20 January), and the following day passed through the Strait of the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus, and entered the Black Sea. Vella Gulf trained with Romanian and Ukrainian units, and visited Constanta, Romania (22–25 January), and Sevastopol (26–30 January) and Odessa, Ukraine (31 January).

2012

The ship returned through the Turkish Straits into the Aegean Sea (4 February 2012) and entered Souda Bay (5–14 February). She participated with the British, French, Germans, Greeks, Italians, and Turks in NATO antisubmarine exercise Proud Manta (16–23 February). The ship concluded Proud Manta with post exercise briefings at Augusta Bay (26–29 August).

Vella Gulf transited the Strait of Messina (11 March 2012) and completed a voyage maintenance availability at Naples (12–21 March). The cruiser visited Souda Bay (23–27 March) and then worked with the Greeks and Israelis in NATO exercise Noble Dina (27 March–5 April). The exercise included a visit to Haifa (30 March–2 April). Vella Gulf resumed her ballistic missile defense patrols and visited Souda Bay (27 April), Haifa (30 April–4 May), and Souda Bay (1–7 June and 1–5 July). The ship served as a plane guard for Dwight D. Eisenhower on 12 July. Guided missile destroyer Laboon (DDG 58) relieved Vella Gulf of her ballistic missile defense role at Souda Bay (24–26 July). The cruiser then transited the Strait of Gibraltar on 29 July, visited Rota the following day, and returned home on 11 August. Capt. Philip W. Vance relieved Capt. Harris as the commanding officer on 29 August.

2013

Tugs took Vella Gulf under tow for repairs at Titan drydock, BAE, that lasted into 2013.

2014 - 2021

Detailed history pending.

2022

Vella Gulf decommissioned on 30 September 2022 and was stricken from the Naval Register the same day.

Mark L. Evans


Starboard view of the Roosevelt at dock
Caption: Vella Gulf (CG-72)’s coat of arms links the men who fought at the Battle of Vella Gulf (6–7 August 1943) with the sailors who sail Vella Gulf into the future. The commissioning pennant recalls escort aircraft carrier Vella Gulf (CVE 111), the previous ship of the name. The dark blue and gold of the shield are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy. The Battle of Vella Gulf occurred in a body of water in the Solomon Islands known as “the slot,” which is the shield. The wavy division at top refers to the sea. The six sections comprising the shield recall the six U.S. destroyers that fought in the battle, while the red discs suggest the four Japanese destroyers. Dark blue alludes to the darkness of the nocturnal battle. Counterchanging the colors of the shield underscores the unity of U.S. Navy components, while the bald eagle symbolizes the U.S. victory and naval strength, past and present. In the crest, the trident represents prowess at sea and the modern weapons-- the vertical launch and the AEGIS systems-- of CG 72. The lightning flashes signify her quick strike capabilities and allude to the advantage that radar provided to the Americans at Vella Gulf. Red traditionally symbolizes courage and firepower. The star commemorates the battle star awarded to the previous Vella Gulf for her World War II service. The crossed swords embody the synergism of the officer-enlisted teams. Finally, the ship’s motto is adopted from a favorite military maxim of Lt. Gen. Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, CSA, that reads: “To move swiftly, strike vigorously and secure all the fruits of victory, is the secret to successful warfare.”

Published: Fri Jun 16 14:54:57 EDT 2023