History

 

In September of 1942, during the early stages of the Solomon Islands campaign of World War II, the first of the 2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers arrived at Solomon Islands to form Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21.  Admired for their speed and rakish design, these ships were the latest and most advanced warships of the period.  They swung right into action, participating in most of the surface engagements, shore bombardments, anti-submarine and air defense actions along with amphibious landings throughout the Solomon Islands chain.

 

Organized as a squadron March 1943, Sailors quickly developed an esprit de corps throughout the officer and enlisted ranks, knowing their ships would lead in surface engagements with the best of the Imperial Japanese Navy.  The squadron saw action in most Pacific naval operations, ending with a leading role in the victorious entrance to Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender, September 1945.

 

By the end of World War II, the thirteen ships of DESRON 21 earned three individual Presidential Unit Citations and one Navy Unit Commendation, in addition to 123 engagement stars on their collective Atlantic and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbons.  The squadron left a legacy of courage and fighting skill that inspired the present DESRON 21 insignia:  a rampant lion with a trident, sweeping the seas beneath the Southern Cross and the motto "Solomons Onward."

 

Today DESRON 21 is embarked aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and works with the air wing and carrier assets to best allocate task force resources.  A DESRON commodore is responsible for the operational readiness of various surface ships. In the case of the commodore for DESRON 21, he has another role, the Sea Combat Commander for JCSSG. The primary mission as the Sea Combat Commander is to protect the Strike Group against surface and sub-surface threats and maintain complete coverage, and keep track of contacts and critical contacts of interest.

Sea Combat Commander

Air Defense Commander

History

 

USS MOBILE BAY was built in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries. The cruiser was commissioned on February 21st, 1987 at the Alabama State Docks in Mobile, Alabama.

 

After commissioning, MOBILE BAY joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, arriving at its Mayport, Florida, homepo  rt in March 1987. Following a year of crew qualifications, tests and systems trials, MOBILE BAY embarked on its maiden deployment on May 11th, 1989.

 

In June of 1990, MOBILE BAY shifted homeports from Mayport, Florida to Yokosuka, Japan. Shortly thereafter, MOBILE BAY deployed in August 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield and Storm, becoming the first Aegis cruiser to circumnavigate the globe. In the Arabian Gulf, the ship distinguished itself by becoming the first Battle Force Anti-Air Warfare Commander to control a four-carrier task force.

 

In July 2000, MOBILE BAY changed homeports from Yokosuka, Japan, to San Diego, CA, ending 10 years of 7th Fleet service.

MOBILE BAY was refurbished in 2001 as one of the Navy's first "Smart Ships," and one of four ships selected to test how well Navy vessels can operate with sharply reduced crews.

 

MOBILE BAY is Air Defense Commander in the John C. Stennis Strike Group.

 

Click here to view the USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) website.

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Nine:

 

Coordinates offensive and defensive air operations, neutralizes air, surface and subsurface targets afloat and ashore, and supports joint and combined forces by performing the following tasks within the capabilities of the aircraft assigned:

 

 

-Conduct in-flight refueling operations to extend range and

endurance of air wing aircraft.

 

-Conduct all-weather offensive air-to-surface attacks.

 

-Provide airborne electronic countermeasures.

 

-Perform all-weather mine counter measure operations.

 

- Conduct search and rescue operations.

-Intercept and destroy enemy aircraft and missiles in all weather

conditions to establish and maintain air superiority.

 

-Detect, localize, and destroy enemy ships and submarines in all

weather conditions to establish and maintain sea control.

 

-Provide airborne early-warning service to fleet forces and shore

warning nets under all weather conditions.

 

-Provide aerial photographic, sighting, and electronic intelligence

for naval and joint operations.

Strike Warfare Commander

Air Resource Element Commander

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)