WAVY.com

USS Leyte Gulf returns to Norfolk

Sarah Goode

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) returned to Naval Station Norfolk on Friday.

After departing Norfolk in January of 2024 for their final deployment, the guided-missile cruiser returned to Norfolk on May 17, according to DVIDS.


“The crew of Leyte Gulf is a model for maritime teamwork,” said Vice Adm. Doug Perry, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. “They partnered with Navy air assets and Coast Guard interdiction teams, showcasing 2nd Fleet’s ability to extend our presence and maintain homeland defense in other fleets. This is a profound final chapter for one of the Navy’s finest ships, and their crew should be proud of all they accomplished.”

Here is a gallery of the homecoming, below.

Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Thomas Midgette, assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), greets his family. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Manvir Gill.
Lt. j.g. Alescia Austin, assigned to the the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), greats her family. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Manvir Gill.
Royal Canadian Rear Adm. David Patchell, Vice Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, speaks to the crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) as they return to Naval Station Norfolk. by PO3 Manvir Gill.
Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Arellano, assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), walks down the pier with his wife. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Manvir Gill.
Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Edgardo Manzaniloa, assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), greets his family. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Manvir Gill.
This work, USS Leyte Gulf Returns from Final Deployment, by PO3 Manvir Gill, identified by DVIDS.
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During deployment, it conducted maritime interdiction and theater security operations in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.

“This ship is full of history. Each period brings its own far-off journeys, along with generations of Sailors who have manned the helm,” said Capt. Nathan Diaz, the commanding officer of Leyte Gulf.

The guided-missile cruiser is named after one of World War II’s largest naval battles in 1944 in the Philippine Sea, “The Battle of Leyte Gulf”.

In the final deployment, the team performed maritime interdiction operations and disrupted 4,100 kilograms of cocaine, according to DVIDS. They also took positive control of three vessels and removed 15 narcotics traffickers from the narcotics trade.

“Our last deployment was full of Sailors who made their own mark on the story of this great warship,” Diaz said. “Though our namesake comes from a battle long ago, the U.S. is still performing with a level of combat expertise and professionalism that we’ve always had as we protect the homeland.”

Click here to find out more about the final deployment.