CG 63 | USS COWPENS
Namesake:U.S. Revolutionary War battle
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Historical Notes:USS COWPENS deployed in 1996 for a six-month period to the Arabian Gulf as part of the KITTY HAWK Task Group. USS COWPENS, took part, along with the USS VALLEY FORGE (CG 50) and USS JARRETT (FFG 33), in a live standard-missile firing exercise in the Southern California operating areas in the fall of 1997. The exercise was a "Proof Of Concept" demonstration to see if the Navy could safely conduct live surface-to-air missile firings off the coast of San Diego, and possibly reduce the costs of conducting training. USS COWPENS deloyed in 1998 for six months to the Western Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. USS COWPENS underwent a regular overhaul that was completed in December 1999. Southwest Marine, Inc., San Diego, CA, was awarded an $8,719,494 firm-fixed-price with performance fee contract for the overhaul; work for which was performed in San Diego, CA. USS COWPENS joined the Forward Deployed Naval Forces of Seventh Fleet, replacing the USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53), in July 2000. The ship completed internationally successful diplomatic visits to Vladivostok, Russia. The COWPENS, after a deployment to the Indian Ocean, and visiting along the way Guam, Singapore, Thailand and India, paid a visit to Mumbai, India as the US Navy representative to the 2001 International Fleet Review. She was one of 97 ships representing more than 30 countries. USS COWPENS played an active role in the relief effort following January earthquakes in northwestern India, delivering medical and humanitarian supplies. COWPENS also participated in several bi-lateral and multilateral exercises with the navies of Japan and Korea. This included Annual Exercise 2001 - a bilateral training drill between the Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, in November, in which the Aegis-Guided missile cruiser was the Navy’s centerpiece for the exercise while the USS KITTY HAWK deployed to the Indian Ocean for Operation Enduring Freedom. Operationally, COWPENS also supported highly sensitive escort missions and Operation NOBLE EAGLE. USS COWPENS also operated in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM conducting Strait of Malacca escort operations. |
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Ship's Crest: The Shield:
Dark blue and gold are
the colors traditionally associated with the Navy. Red denotes valor
and sacrifice, while white represents high ideals. The three wavy bars
refer to the sea, the USS COWPENS area of operations; and allude to the
three lines of attack used by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan at
Cowpens, South Carolina, in 1781. The previous USS COWPENS (CVL 25)
service in World War II is honored by the circle of twelve battle
stars. The Navy sword symbolizes a heritage of service and the vertical
launch capabilities of CG 63. The wedge, or pile, symbolizes the
spearhead of Morgan's attack and the vertical launch capabilities of
the Aegis Cruiser; the jagged edge denotes the terrain of felled trees
and rough fences making up the battle field at Cowpens. |
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PHOTOS
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