USS Normandy ( CG - 60 ) USS " Normandy " ( CG - 60 ) is a " Ticonderoga " - class guided - missile cruiser in the service of the United States Navy . Armed with naval guns and anti - air , anti - surface , and anti - submarine missiles , plus other weapons , she is equipped for surface - to - air , surface - to - surface , and anti - submarine warfare . The cruiser was the first US warship since 1945 to go to war on her maiden cruise and in 1998 she was awarded the title " Most Tomahawks shot by a U . S . Navy Cruiser " . She is named for the World War II Battle of Normandy , France , on and following D - Day . Service history . " Normandy " was laid down at Bath Iron Works , Bath , Maine , on 7 April 1987 , launched on 19 March 1988 , and commissioned on 9 December 1989 . She is homeported in Norfolk , Virginia . Gulf War . Just one year after her commissioning in Newport , Rhode Island , " Normandy " sailed into action in order to support the multinational effort to free Kuwait . " Normandy " and her crew left on 28 December 1990 to join United Nations forces conducting Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm . As part of the Battle Group , " Normandy " transited the Suez Canal and the Red Sea on her way to the Persian Gulf . " Normandy " fired 26 Tomahawk cruise missiles , protected allied ships and aircraft in the area , conducted maritime interdiction operations , and helped to locate and destroy enemy mines . She was the first US warship since 1945 to go to war on her maiden cruise . Adriatic Operations . On 11 August 1993 , USS " Normandy " and the USS " America " Battle Group deployed to the Adriatic Sea in support of United Nations efforts with the war - torn Federal Republic of Yugoslavia . " Normandy ' s " primary duty was Adriatic air - space controller for Operations Provide Promise , Deny Flight , and Sharp Guard . 50th Anniversary of " D " day . In an historic first , " Normandy " embarked nine World War II veterans on 18 May 1994 for commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Allied landings on the coast of France . These activities took place in Portsmouth , England , until 31 May , ending in Le Havre , France . Over 15 , 000 visitors toured the ship while " Normandy ' s " honor guard embarked veterans participated in various memorial services and events on both sides of the English Channel . USS " Normandy " served as a centerpiece over the two week course of ceremonies , and specifically for national commemorations at Slapton Sands , United Kingdom on 31 May by U . S . Ambassador Crowe , and at the Normandy beachheads on 6 June by President Bill Clinton . On 27 June 1994 , " Normandy " participated in the Naval Station New York closing ceremonies . Staten Island ' s Borough President , Guy Molinari , and his daughter Congresswoman Susan Molinari were the featured speakers as the Navy turned the base over to the city ' s Emergency Services . After four years homeported at Staten Island , New York , " Normandy " departed for her new homeport of Norfolk , Virginia . Operation Deliberate Force . On 28 August 1995 , USS " Normandy " began a six month deployment to the Mediterranean with the USS " America " . On 8 September , " Normandy " was in the Western Mediterranean conducting turnover with the outgoing battle group . Receiving immediate tasking to proceed at best speed to the Adriatic , " Normandy " sped across the at maximum speed . Arriving in the Operation Deliberate Force theatre of operations on 10 September , " Normandy " launched a 13 Tomahawk missile strike against hostile air defense command and control sites in Lisina , Bosnia - Herzegovina , north of the Bosnian Serb stronghold of Banja Luka between 20 . 40 and 20 . 45 pm . The American cruiser used a new type of Tomahawk missile , the Block - III model , which included for the first time GPS guidance in combination with its digital navigational system based on topographic maps . This gave flexibility and speed to the attack . This precision strike , flawlessly executed on extremely short notice , paved the way for follow - on tactical air strikes against Bosnian Serb military positions in the region . This action sent a strong signal of United States resolve and played a significant role in convincing the Bosnian - Serb government to cease hostilities and resume peace negotiations . During the six month deployment " Normandy " again served as Adriatic air - space controller for Operation Deny Flight , Sharp Guard , and Decisive Endeavor . Exercise Bright Star and Operation Southern Watch . On 3 October 1997 , " Normandy " once again began a six month deployment , this time as Air Defense Commander of the battle group . Throughout the month of October , " Normandy " participated , along with 27 other international units , in Exercise Bright Star off the Egyptian coast . Upon completion of Bright Star , " Normandy " was directed to proceed at best speed to the Persian Gulf . Beginning 16 November , " Normandy " , along with other units of the " George Washington " battle group , transited the Suez Canal , Red Sea , Gulf of Oman , and Arabian Sea . In a record - setting five days , " Normandy " and " George Washington " entered the Persian Gulf and joined the Battle Group in an impressive show of force and United Nation resolve with Iraq . Immediately , " Normandy " assumed duties as the " Ready Strike " platform in the Gulf and , later , also assumed the duties as the air - defense commander for the entire Persian Gulf . For four months " Normandy " patrolled the Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch . During this time , she conducted several successful maritime - interception operations along with her strike and air - defense duties . Throughout this deployment , " Normandy " achieved more than 300 mishap - free hours of flight operations , conducted 27 underway replenishments and sailed a total of . Underway for the holidays , " Normandy " hosted pop singer Paula Cole on 23 December and the Chief of Naval Operations , Admiral Jay Johnson , along with his wife and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy , ETCM John Hagan , on Christmas morning . " George Washington " ' s battle group was relieved by the Battle Group in the Persian Gulf and " Normandy " returned to her homeport of Norfolk on 3 April 1998 . " Normandy " finished a major overhaul period in Norfolk Naval Shipyard on 28 February . Miscellaneous Activities . On 21 June 2000 " Normandy " and the USS " George Washington " Battle Group deployed to the Mediterranean and the Arabian Sea . On 19 December , " Normandy " returned to Norfolk just in time for the holidays . On 20 June 2002 , " Normandy " left the US East Coast on deployment . Again assigned to the " George Washington " Battle Group , " Normandy " returned to Norfolk in December 2002 . In 2003 , the ship was assigned to Cruiser - Destroyer Group 2 . On 25 March 2005 , " Normandy " left the East Coast with the assault ship ESG , deployed to the Mediterranean and Northern Persian Gulf . " Normandy " returned to Norfolk in October 2005 . On 13 January 2010 , the " Normandy " was ordered to assist in humanitarian efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake On 20 May 2010 , the " Normandy " deployed to the Persian Gulf for a seven month deployment . It returned on 12 December 2010 on a bitterly cold , snowy day . In 2012 , the " USS Normandy " deployed for two months to the Baltic Sea in support of diplomatic relations in regards to BaltOps 2012 and FRUKUS 2012 ( France , Russia , United Kingdom , and United States ) . Awards . USS " Normandy " received the Navy Unit Commendation , the National Defense Service Medal , and the Southwest Asia Service Medal ( with two bronze stars ) for her efforts in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm . She was awarded her second Navy Unit Commendation Medal in June 1994 for her extensive participation in events commemorating D - Day . " Normandy " was awarded her third Navy Unit Commendation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her actions during her time in the Adriatic . In 1997 , she won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award for the Atlantic Fleet . Along with the 1998 title " Most Tomahawks shot by a US Navy cruiser " , USS " Normandy " holds three Battle " E " Awards for overall ship - wide excellence in performance .