NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Another naval ship set sail on a deployment from Naval Station Norfolk over the weekend.
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf, or CG 55, departed on Jan. 28. Throughout the fall, the ship conducted extensive underway operations throughout the Western Atlantic in preparation.
While deployed, Leyte Gulf is expected to host Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 and Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 404 to assist in preventing illegal drugs from reaching the U.S. and its regional partner nations.
“Leyte Gulf and her crew are excited to work with our partner nations and services to maintain maritime security and interoperability in the Caribbean and South American areas of operation,” said Capt. Nate Diaz, commanding officer of Leyte Gulf.
The ship’s crew is comprised of more than 40 officers and nearly 350 enlisted Sailors. Leyte Gulf was commissioned Sept. 26, 1987, and commemorates the largest naval battle in modern history fought in 1944, a release states. The Battle of Leyte Gulf helped assist efforts during World War II.