CLASS - TICONDEROGA (Flight II)
Displacement 9,589 (FL) Tons, Dimensions, 565' 10" (oa) x 55' x 31' 6" (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/54RF, 2 VLS, (122 Missiles)
2 x 20mm Phalanx CIWS, 2 x 25mm Bushmaster mg. 6 x12.75" TT. 2 LAMPS Helos.
Machinery, 80,000 SHP; G.E. Gas Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 30+ Knots, Crew 370.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 15 OCT 1986 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS
Launched 02 OCT 1987
Commissioned 11 FEB 1989
Damaged by 2 Influence Mines 18 FEB 1991
Home port: San Diego, CA

The guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) is at station just aft of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as a CH-46D Sea Knight of the "Gunbearers" of Helicopter Support Squadron One One (HC-11) delivers ordnance to the carrier on 19 OCT 2001. Carl Vinson and its carrier airwing are part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

U.S. Navy photo #011019-N-7265L-003 by Photographer's Mate Airman Inez Lawson.

At sea, 29 April 2002 - The guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) is currently deployed conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.

U.S. Navy photo #030429-N-4441P-002 by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael J. Pusnik, Jr.

3 March 2003 - USS Princeton (CG 59) pulls away from its homeport of Naval Station San Diego. Princeton is part of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Strike Group deployed in the Arabian Gulf conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.

U.S.Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Emmanuel Rios.

San Diego, CA, 3 March 2003 - A starboard quarter view of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) underway in San Diego Harbor, with crewmen manning the rails as she departs for a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She is approaching the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. A Rigid Hull Inflatable (RHI) port security unit harbor patrol craft is underway in the foreground.

U.S. Navy photo #030303-N-9214D-005 by PH3 Juan Eduardo Diaz.

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are chocked and chained to the forward catapults aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), underway in the South Pacific Ocean, 27 March 2003, while the guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steams by. The aircraft carrier and CVW-11 were scheduled to join other multinational coalition forces conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

U.S. Navy photo #030327-N-2143T-002 by Airman Maebel Tinoko.

The Arabian Gulf, 10 April 2003 - The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and fast combat support ship USS Bridge (AOE 10) participate in an underway replenishment (UNREP) while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

U.S. Navy photo #030410-N-1974E-003 by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Kristi Earl.

USS Princeton (CG 59) steams to her homeport of San Diego, CA., as part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, which is returning from an eight-month deployment.

U.S. Navy photo #031102-N-9411J-005 by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Christopher Jordan.

Bill Gonyo

2 April 2004 - The guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) passes Point Loma en-route to the Pacific Ocean, to conduct a routine training exercise. Princeton is homeported in San Diego, CA.

U.S. Navy photo #040402-N-8209D-020 by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class John DeCoursey.

San Francisco, CA, 7 October 2006 - The Guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) passes under the Golden Gate Bridge while entering San Francisco Bay during the Parade of Ships, a key event during San Francisco Fleet Week 2006. Since 1981, San Francisco Fleet Week has been an annual opportunity for Northern Californians to honor the men and women serving in the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Marines. This year approximately 9,000 crew members on visiting ships will arrive in the City to participate in Fleet Week. Ship’s tours and community service projects are scheduled throughout the Bay Area.

U.S. Navy photo #061007-N-5484G-010 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Pol Sebastian Gocong

Pacific Ocean, August 14, 2007 - Nimitz (CVN 68), Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Groups transit in formation during a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX) during Valiant Shield 2007, the largest joint exercise in the Pacific this year. Held in the Guam operating area, Valiant Shield 2007 included 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

The aerial formation, led by an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, consists of aircraft from the carrier strike groups as well as Air Force aircraft. Ships are, left to right: guided missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90); nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and the guided missile destroyers USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) and USS Pinckney (DDG 91); nuclear-propelled attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767); aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) and guided missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89); nuclear-propelled attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722); nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), followed by the guided missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) and the guided missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS O'Kane (DDG 77); the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer on the extreme right has not been positively identified, but is possibly USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60).

U.S. Navy photo # 070814-N-6009S-001 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hana'lei Shimana.

Pacific Ocean, 2 February 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steams alongside the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while taking on fuel during a replenishment at sea. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on deployment and operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Navy photo #080202-N-8421M-011 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil.

Pacific Ocean, 2 February 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) breaks away from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after receiving fuel during a replenishment at sea. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Navy photo #080202-N-8421M-036 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil.

East China Sea, 16 March 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), right, and guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) steam behind the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during an Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) exercise with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).

U.S. Navy photo #080316-N-3038W-070 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Wagner.

East China Sea, 16 March 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steams behind the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during an Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) exercise. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is participating in an ESF exercise with the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).

U.S. Navy photo #080316-N-3038W-101 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Wagner.

East China Sea, 16 March 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steams into position during an Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) exercise. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) recently participated in an ESF with the Essex (LHD 2) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). The ESF exercise was designed to test the ability of the Strike Groups to plan and conduct multi-task force operations across a broad spectrum of naval disciplines and to refresh skills in completing complex missions that require capabilities that are broader in scope than the individual Strike Groups can provide alone.

U.S. Navy photo # 080316-N-5484G-042 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joseph Pol Sebastian Gocong.

Pacific Ocean, 29 March 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), front, and the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steam in formation during a combined training exercise in the Western Pacific with the Kitty Hawk and Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups.

U.S. Navy photo #080329-N-7883G-013 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau.

Pacific Ocean, 11 April 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) approaches the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to conduct a replenishment-at-sea. Nimitz is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Navy photo #080411-N-1276B-002 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Orrin Batiste.

Seattle, WA, 30 July 2008 - The Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) lead the parade of ships to kick off the 2008 59th annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week. During the weeklong stay in Seattle, Sailors will get a chance to explore the local community. Navy Weeks are designed to raise awareness in metropolitan areas that do not have a significant Navy presence.

U.S. Navy photo #080730-N-7656R-001 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric J. Rowley.

Seattle, WA, 30 July 2008 - The Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) leads the parade of ships to kick off the 2008 59th annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week. During the weeklong stay in Seattle, Sailors will get a chance to explore the local community. Navy Weeks are designed to raise awareness in metropolitan areas that do not have a significant Navy presence.

U.S. Navy photo #080730-N-7656R-002 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric J. Rowley.

Seattle, WA, 30 July 2008 - The Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) lead the parade of ships to kick off the 2008 59th annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week. During the weeklong stay in Seattle, Sailors will get a chance to explore the local community. Navy Weeks are designed to raise awareness in metropolitan areas that do not have a significant Navy presence.

U.S. Navy photo #080730-N-7656R-003 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric J. Rowley.

Seattle, WA, 30 July 2008 - The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) leads the parade of ships, with her sailors manning the rails, to kick off the 2008 59th annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week. During the weeklong stay in Seattle, Sailors will get a chance to explore the local community. Navy Weeks are designed to raise awareness in metropolitan areas that do not have a significant Navy presence.

U.S. Navy photo #080730-N-7656R-004 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric J. Rowley.

Seattle, WA, 31 July 2008 - Ensign Samantha Foxton, strike officer aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), describes the ship's anchor assembly to a tour group on the ship's foc'scle. The ship is in Seattle for Sea Fair, a month-long festival sponsored by the city.

U.S. Navy photo #080731-N-4649C-003 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chantel M. Clayton.

PACIFIC OCEAN, 18 July 2012 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) underway during the Great Green Fleet demonstration portion of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from Jun. 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.

U.S. Navy photo #120718-N-WA347-097 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran

Pearl Harbor, HI, 18 July 2012 - USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187), left delivers a 50-50 blend of advanced biofuels and traditional petroleum-based fuel to the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) during the Great Green Fleet demonstration portion of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise. In the background are the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93).

US Navy photo # 120718-N-RC246-210 by MC3 Ryan J. Mayes

PACIFIC OCEAN, 9 June 2020 - The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steams alongside USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) during a replenishment-at-sea. Princeton is part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and is deployed conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

US Navy photo #200609-N-NC885-1174 by MCSA Drace Wilson.

PHILIPPINE SEA, 13 July 2020 - USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) transit the Philippine Sea while an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Screamin' Indians of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 11, is deployed conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

US Navy photo # 200713-N-KO930-1003 by MC3 Olivia Banmally Nichols

SOUTH CHINA SEA, 15 July 2020 - The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steams through the night in the South China Sea. Princeton is part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and is deployed conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

U.S. Navy photo #200715-N-OW019-0004 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Logan C. Kellums

SOUTH CHINA SEA, 15 July 2020 - The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steams through the night in the South China Sea. Princeton is part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and is deployed conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

U.S. Navy photo #200715-N-OW019-0007 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Logan C. Kellums

USS Princeton (CG 59) Arming/Disarming at Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, CA on 7 June 2022.