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CGN-40 Mississippi

The USS Mississippi was commissioned on 5 August 1978 at Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia. She is the third ship out of four ships in the Virginia Class nuclear-powered, guided missile cruisers.

During the next three years the ship went through a training period at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

MISSISSIPPI first deployed in August of 1981, escorting USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). She was also instructed to patrol the shore of Egypt after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat.

In 1982, MISSISSIPPI was awarded the Battenberg Cup Award for the best all-round ship in the Atlantic Fleet by the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. It was also in 1982 that the MISSISSIPPI earned the award for "Battle Efficiency." In 1983, MISSISSIPPI again one the "Battle Efficiency" Award and received COMSIXTHFLT Battle Force "Tope Hand" Award.

MISSISSIPPI had her first overhaul in September 1987. This included many improvements in her Combat Systems Suite.

After completing exercises in the Caribbean in 1998, MISSISSIPPI was deployed to the Mediterranean. From May to November 1989, she provided support to the Battle Force Sixth Fleet off the Coast of Lebanon.

During 1990, MISSISSIPPI completed three law enforcement operations in the Caribbean, and in August of 1990, deployed as flagship for Commander, Multi-National Maritime Interception Force (MIF) during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. She completed the seven- month deployment on 31 March 1991, thus setting the record for the ship with the longest operating tempo in any given period. MISSISSIPPI provided Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) escort services for USS NITRO through the Straits of Bab-El-Mandeb to the Gulf of Aden. Upon completing her escort duties, MISSISSIPPI returned to the Red Sea to launch Tomahawk Cruise Missiles at designated strategic and military targets deep inside the country of Iraq.

From May 1991 to August 1992, MISSISSIPPI received a number of improvements including new Tomahawk and Harpon systems, and New Threat Combat Systems Suite.

From September 1992-1993, Mississippi was in the Caribbean participating in three Counter Narcotic Operations. MISSISSIPPI was deployed to the Haitian Theater in October 1993-November 1994 for help in Operation SUPPORT DEMOCRACY.

In November 1994, MISSISSIPPI began training for Mediterranean deployment in May 1995.