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USS Ticonderoga Returns to Pascagoula for Decommissioning

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040802-04 Release Date: 8/2/2004 11:39:00 AM

From USS Ticonderoga Public Affairs

PASCAGOULA,Miss. (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) returns to its homeport at Naval Station Pascagoula Aug. 3, after completing its final and most successful deployment before the ship's decommissioning Sept. 30.

Ticonderoga set a new record for counter-drug operations, completing six interdictions in five months, netting more than 14,000 pounds of cocaine and detaining 25 suspects.

"I'm really proud of the efforts of all hands for their accomplishments on Ticonderoga's final cruise," said Ticonderoga's commanding officer, Cmdr. Glenn W. Zeiders III. "This crew's achievements over the last year and a half, which included winning the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy as most improved unit in the Atlantic Fleet, and tying or breaking every record for drug interdictions while on deployment, place a superb capstone on the 22-year record of excellence of a great ship."

In addition to ship's company, other key elements of Ticonderoga's team included Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 60 with Jaguar 605 homeported at Mayport, Fla., and Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) 401 and 409, out of Miami, Fla. HSL 60 logged more than 400 hours conducting 140 sorties during the deployment. The speed of the helicopter, and the skills of her pilots and crew, added significantly to Ticonderoga's ability to pursue and capture 'go-fasts,' the cigarette-shaped boats specifically built to smuggle narcotics.

The Coast Guard detachments were the acting law enforcement officials aboard and conducted all search and seizure operations on suspect vessels.

Multinational cooperation played a large part in the ship's successful deployment. Initially, the ship patrolled waters in the Caribbean Sea. In late April, in conjunction with Colombian military authorities, its crew successfully located, tracked and pursued a 'go-fast.' Ticonderoga quickly responded and effectively demonstrated exceptional tactical coordination in the boarding and eventual seizure of a smuggler's supply vessel. Ticonderoga boarding team members meticulously combed the vessel and questioned the crew, which eventually led to the discovery of approximately 5,808 pounds of cocaine and the apprehension of seven people.

Ticonderoga patrolled the Caribbean for 54 days and scored one more drug bust before transiting through the Panama Canal May 5. Upon exiting the canal, Ticonderoga conducted counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific.

The ship used its intelligence and air assets off the coast of Costa Rica to pursue another "go-fast." The Costa Rican Navy joined the chase with two surface vessels, a helicopter, and a fixed wing aircraft. The go-fast crew beached the craft on the Costa Rican coastline, and the people aboard immediately ran into the mountain terrain. Costa Rican authorities apprehended the fleeing suspects. Four detainees were captured, prosecuted in Costa Rica and sentenced for their actions.

The fourth go-fast was captured June 23 as Ticonderoga continued operating in the Eastern Pacific. The ship's helicopter crew acquired the go-fast and sent position updates to Ticonderoga. After a high-speed chase, Ticonderoga closed on the suspect vessel, fired warning shots over its bow, and the go-fast crew surrendered. The ship recovered 72 bales of cocaine weighing approximately 3,600 pounds.

The final go-fast vessel was captured in the Eastern Pacific June 28. The ship visually acquired the go-fast vessel southwest of Panama and began to close on its target. The go-fast counter realized the ship was chasing it and began fleeing at a high rate of speed. During the chase, the go-fast jettisoned 20 to 30 bales. Ticonderoga, with the assistance of USS Crommelin (FFG 37), was able to stop the go-fast and recover a total of 38 bales weighing approximately 2,176 lbs.

During in-port breaks between military training exercises and law enforcement busts, Ticonderoga crew members enjoyed sight-seeing, golfing, scuba diving and shopping in Cozumel, Mexico; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Cartagena, Colombia; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Panama City, Panama.

The ship took these opportunities to strengthen U.S. relations with several of these countries. Tours for Colombian Naval Academy midshipmen and dignitaries in Cartagena were popular events. The crew was also invited to play in soccer matches against the Colombians and Panamanians during separate port visits.

On Memorial Day in Panama, a group of Ticonderoga Sailors paid tribute to those who have served our nation and are buried in Panama by participating in a joint service ceremony at the Pan-American Cemetery.

This deployment marks the last for Ticonderoga. Her continuous excellence in service will be remembered when she is decommissioned Sept. 30.

Ticonderoga is commanded by Cmdr. Glenn W. Zeiders III of Marblehead, Mass., and is one of the ships assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14. It is a multi-mission surface combatant capable of supporting carrier strike groups or amphibious forces, operating as a flagship of a surface action group or of operating independently. It has a crew of more than 350 men and women, and has the ability to carry out multi-dimensional, multi-threat combat missions.

More than 20 years old, Ticonderoga was built in Pascagoula, commissioned in January 1983, and was the first ship of the AEGIS guided-missile cruiser class. It was the world's first surface combatant equipped with the AEGIS combat system, the most sophisticated air defense in the world. During the ship's lifetime, its crews have been involved in major national and international events, and several historic NATO exercises. Ticonderoga's adventures have taken her to duty in the Gulf of Sidra, off the coast of Beirut, to the Arctic Circle, the Equator, and through the Suez and Panama canals. The ship was one of the first to report on station in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990. She has deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The current Ticonderoga is the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear the historic name. She is named in commemoration of the capture of Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in eastern New York, in May 1775, by Ethan Allen and his "Green Mountain Boys." One of the first military successes of the American Revolution, the seizure provided desperately needed cannons and supplies to George Washington's army.