USS Long Beach (CGN-9)

USS Long Beach (CGN-160/CLGN-160/CGN-9) was the first "all-new" cruiser designed and constructed after World War II (all others were completions or conversions of cruisers begun or completed during the war). The ship was designed as an "all-missile" ship from the very beginning, but was fitted with two 5 in (127 mm) 38 caliber gun mounts amidships at President John F. Kennedy's order. The space taken up by the 5 in (127 mm) 38 caliber mounts and the Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC) system was, at different times, slated for the Regulus ship-to-shore missile or, later, the Polaris missile. Long Beach was also the last cruiser built on the traditional long, lean cruiser hull; later new-build cruisers were actually converted frigates (DLG/CG Leahy, Bainbridge, Belknap, Truxtun, California and Virginia classes) or uprated destroyers (DDG/CG Ticonderoga class).

Related Topics:
World War II - John F. Kennedy - ASROC - Regulus - Polaris missile - Frigate - Destroyer

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The ship was propelled by two nuclear reactors, one for each propellor shaft, and was capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h). The high box-like superstructure contained the AN/SPS-32 and AN/SPS-33 phased array radars, early versions of the AN/SPY-1 phased array systems lately installed on Aegis warships (Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers). At the time, Long Beach had the highest bridge of any ship smaller than an aircraft carrier.

Related Topics:
Aegis - ''Ticonderoga'' - ''Arleigh Burke'' - Aircraft carrier

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The final weapons suite consisted of:

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• Talos Long Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM) with a range in excess of 80 nautical miles (148 km).
• Terrier Medium Range SAMs with a range in excess of 30 miles (48 km).
• Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC) system capable of delivering a torpedo or depth charge (nuclear capable) at a range of 10,000 yards (9.1 km).
• Twin triple torpedo launchers that could fire Mk 46 torpedoes.
• 5 in (127 mm) 38 caliber single mounts (2), capable of surface and shore bombardment to a range of 18,000 yards (16.5 km).

Long Beach served in the Atlantic Fleet from commissioning in 1961 until completing first refueling in early 1966, when the ship transferred homeports from Norfolk, Virginia to Long Beach, California.

Related Topics:
1966 - Norfolk, Virginia

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In October of 1966, Long Beach deployed for the first of a number of cruises to the Western Pacific (WestPac). During this initial cruise, the ship served primarily as the Positive Identification Radar Advisory Zone (PIRAZ) unit in the northern Tonkin Gulf. As such, the main responsibilities of the ship were to "sanitize" returning US air strikes to ensure that no enemy aircraft attempted to evade identification by sneaking out with "friendlies." Additionally, the ship provided support for an on-board Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter unit. During this tour, the ship was responsible for shooting down one Soviet-made An-2 Colt aircraft that was attempting to engage South Vietnamese naval units. The shoot-down was actually accomplished by F-4 aircraft under the control of a Long Beach Air Intercept Controller (AIC). The ship returned to Long Beach, California in July of 1967.

Related Topics:
Tonkin Gulf - An-2 Colt - F-4 - 1967

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:28 years of history go here

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MILESTONES

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• 02 December 1957 Keel laid in Bethlehem Steel Company's Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts.
• 14 July 1959 Mrs. Craig Hosmer christened the ship as it's sponsor.
• 05 July 1961 USS Long Beach underway for the first time using her own nuclear power.
• 09 September 1961 USS Long Beach is commissioned as the first nuclear powered surface vessel at Boston Naval Shipyard.
• 02 October 1961 Change of Home port to Norfolk, Virginia.
• 01 August 1963 1st deployment to the Mediterranean
• 28 April 1964 2nd deployment to the Mediterranean for "Task Force One".
• 15 March 1966 USS Long Beach and City of Long Beach, California unite for first time.
• 07 November 1966 1st West Pac deployment.
• 01 May 1967 Deployed to Gulf of Tonkin.
• 15 April 1968 2nd West Pac deployment.
• 11 August 1969 3rd West Pac deployment.
• 01 July 1970 USS Long Beach begins refueling at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
• 28 March 1972 4th West Pac deployment.
• 01 May 1973 5th West Pac deployment.
• 07 November 1974 6th West Pac deployment.
• 07 June 1975 Change of homeport to San Diego, California.
• 15 September 1976 7th West Pac deployment.
• 04 April 1978 8th West Pac deployment.
• 07 January 1980 9th West Pac deployment.
• 01 January 1982 Comprehensive overhaul Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
• 13 January 1984 10th West Pac deployment.
• 09 January 1985 SRA Bremerton, Washington.
• 13 May 1986 11th West Pac deployment.
• 25 July 1987 12th West Pac deployment.
• 13 October 1988 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ship Visit.
• 18 September 1989 13th West Pac deployment.
• 28 May 1991 14th West Pac deployment in support of Operation Desert Storm.
• 08 April 1992 Comprehensive overhaul, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
• 12 May 1993 Underway Counter Narcotics Patrol, Central America.
• 08 November 1993 Underway Counter Narcotics Patrol, Caribbean.
• 06 May 1994 Change of homeport to Norfolk, Virginia.

Long Beach was decommissioned on 1 May 1995.

Related Topics:
1 May - 1995

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• Commanders
• 9 September 1961 - 11 September, 1962: Captain E. P. Wilkinson
• 11 September 1962 - 23 August, 1966: Captain F. H. Price
• 23 August 1966 - 15 June, 1968: Captain K. C. Wallace
• 15 June 1968 - 25 September, 1972: Captain William A. Spencer
• 25 September 1972 - 24 October, 1975: Captain F. R. Fahland
• 24 October 1975 - 18 July, 1978: Captain Harry C. Schrader
• 18 July 1978 - February 1982: Captain E. B. Bossard
• February 1982 - 1985: Captain F. Triggs
• February 1985 - September 1987: Captain M. J. Weniger
• September 1987 - November 1990: Captain J.C. Pollock, III
• November 1990 - April 1993: Captain W.R. Burns, JR.
• April 1993 - July 1994: Captain K.P. Bersticker
 
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