Only the seventh Tico completed– and the second Flight II Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) Variant– USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) was commissioned at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile in 1987, ready to take on the Red Banner Fleet. At age 13, and a huge naval nerd, I was there, talking about Farragut (my hometown Pascagoula hero) the whole time.
330-CFD-DN-SN-89-03091: An explosion sprays water high above the guided missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) as the ship undergoes a shock test. Exact Date Shot Unknown, 5/1/1988
Now, after standing by for the end of the Soviet fleet and firing Tomahawks at Iraq in two different wars a decade apart, her flags were lowered at San Diego last Friday. One of four long-serving Ticos that the Navy asked to retire this year.
SAN DIEGO (Aug.10, 2023) – The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) sits pier side during a decommissioning ceremony. The Mobile Bay was decommissioned after more than 36 years of distinguished service. Commissioned Feb. 21, 1987, Mobile Bay served in the U.S. Atlantic, Seventh, and U.S. Pacific Fleet and supported Operation Desert Storm. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stevin C. Atkins)
Just 16 of 27 Ticos remain in the fleet, with the last expected to retire in 2027. It is argued that Flight III Burkes take the place of these ships, as they have a marginally better (depending on who you talk to) sensor suite, but it is rarely pointed out that these destroyers still just carry 96 VLS cells rather than the 122 of the Ticos and don’t have the same AAW battle group control capability as the old Aegis cruisers.
Nonetheless, “Mobile Bay will be inactivated and towed to the Navy’s Inactive Ship’s facility in Bremerton, Washington where they will be in a Logistic Support Asset (LSA) status,” although Navy shipbuilding plans say she will be listed in a better maintained “Out of Commission in Reserve (OCIR)” status, so, in theory, she may come back to life in needed in the next couple of years.