#                                                                         USS Leyte Gulf Deploys from Norfolk to U.S. 4th Fleet                                                                    

##### by Lt.j.g. Jayden Hodgson, USS Leyte Gulf Public Affairs

28 January 2024
NORFOLK, Va. - The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departed Naval Station Norfolk on deployment, Jan. 28.

                NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Jan. 28, 2024) The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 28, 2024, for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Leyte Gulf will operate with regional partners to strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance U.S. maritime posture and counter threats such as illicit drug trafficking. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch)                            240128-N-KK394-1186                            NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Jan. 28, 2024) The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 28, 2024, for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Leyte Gulf will operate with regional partners to strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance U.S. maritime posture and counter threats such as illicit drug trafficking. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Anderson W BranchVIRIN: 240128-N-KK394-1186

Leyte Gulf will independently deploy to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.

Throughout the fall, the ship conducted extensive underway operations throughout the Western Atlantic in preparation for their tasking.

“Leyte Gulf and her crew are excited to work with our partner nations and services to maintain maritime security and interoperability in the Caribbean and South American areas of operation,” said Capt. Nate Diaz, commanding officer of Leyte Gulf.

            SLIDESHOW | 4 images | 240128-N-KK394-1132                    The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 28, 2024, for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Leyte Gulf will operate with regional partners to strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance U.S. maritime posture and counter threats such as illicit drug trafficking. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch)                            240128-N-KK394-1132                                            1 of 4                                        The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 28, 2024, for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Leyte Gulf will operate with regional partners to strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance U.S. maritime posture and counter threats such as illicit drug trafficking. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        240128-N-KK394-1222                                            2 of 4                                        NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Jan. 28, 2024) The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 28, 2024, for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Leyte Gulf will operate with regional partners to strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance U.S. maritime posture and counter threats such as illicit drug trafficking. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        240128-N-KK394-1155                                            3 of 4                                        NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Jan. 28, 2024) The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 28, 2024, for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Leyte Gulf will operate with regional partners to strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance U.S. maritime posture and counter threats such as illicit drug trafficking. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        240128-N-KK394-1147                                            4 of 4                                        NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (Jan. 28, 2024) The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 28, 2024, for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Leyte Gulf will operate with regional partners to strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance U.S. maritime posture and counter threats such as illicit drug trafficking. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                    

The ship’s crew is comprised of more than 40 officers and nearly 350 enlisted Sailors.

“The crew continued to display a high level of proficiency and readiness during our sustainment phase,” said Leyte Gulf Command Master Chief Jason Kutsch. “We look forward to exercising the capabilities of our ship and crew while deployed.”

While deployed, Leyte Gulf will host Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 and Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 404 to provide robust expertise in keeping illegal drugs from reaching the shores of the U.S. and its regional partner nations. Leyte Gulf is scheduled to conduct passing exercises with other regional partners as well as several theater security cooperation port visits to strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance U.S. maritime posture and counter threats such as illicit drug trafficking.

Leyte Gulf was commissioned Sept. 26, 1987, and commemorates the largest naval battle in modern history fought in Oct. 1944. The Battle of Leyte Gulf was critical in turning the tide in the Pacific during World War II.

For more information about the ship, please visit Facebook or the official webpage.

For more news from Naval Surface Forces, click here. For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit: www.public.navy.mil/surflant/hq/Pages/default.aspx and www.dvidshub.net/unit/CNSFUSAF.

Tags:
**USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55)**Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT)**U.S. 4th Fleet