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CGN-9 Long Beach

Long Beach (CGN-9) was awarded 15 October 1956 to Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Quincy MA. Originally designated CLGN-160, Long Beach was redesignated CGN-160 on 6 December 1956; laid down 2 December 1957; redesignated CGN-9 1 July 1957 to fit the new guided missile cruiser series designation; launched 14 July 1959; and was commissioned 9 September 1961 as the world's first nuclear powered surface warship. Following commissioning, the ship was homeported in Norfolk until early 1966 when the ship was transferred to the Pacific Fleet.

On 31 July 1964, Enterprise (CVAN-65), Long Beach and Bainbridge (CGN-25) departed the Mediterranean Sea for a 65-day, 30,000-mile global cruise to be conducted without refueling or logistic support. The world's first nuclear powered task force also included Seawolf (SSN-575). The first leg of the journey, over five thousand miles between Australia and Cape Horn, South Africa was conducted at an average speed of over 25 knots. From 1966 to 1968, Long Beach participated in several WestPac tours off Vietnam. It is known that Long Beach (CGN-9), Chicago (CG-11), and Oklahoma City (CG-5) fired their Talos anti-radar missiles (RGM-8H) against North Vietnamese radar sites, but little information has been released about these engagements.

In January to February 1977, Long Beach, in company with Enterprise (CVN-65) and Truxtun (CGN-35) headed for the Indian Ocean conducting Exercise Merlion III en route with units of the Singapore armed forces.

Long Beach entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in January 1985 for a major overhaul during which her original Talos missile system was removed and Tomahawk armored box launchers installed. She left Puget Sound in October 1985. In July 1986 she was part of the first battleship battle group to deploy to the Western Pacific since the Korean War. The ships included Wabash (AOR-5), Merrill (DD-976), Gray (FF-1054), Thach (FFG-43), and New Jersey (BB-62).

From 8 April to 1 October 1992 Long Beach underwent a comprehensive overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and went on to conduct command assessment of readiness and training in February 1993. From May to July 1993 she was deployed in counter drug operations off South / Central America and was redeployed on same mission from November 1993 to May 1994 during which she served as "Alfa Sierra" flagship for COMCARIBRON which conducted FleetEx 93-1B/C. Following this she took part in Operations Tidal Wave and Jolly Roger. Last homeported at San Diego, California, Long Beach was deactivated 2 July 1994 in ceremonies at Norfolk Naval Station. Her deactivation and weapons removal actually began at Newport News in May 1994. She was placed in commissioned reserve 7 July 1994 and weapons / electronic removal was completed 1 May 1995. With her superstructure removed, she was towed to Bremerton WA in April 1996, and sticken 1 May 1996 awaiting scrapping.