History:
ROSS' keel was laid on April 10, 1995 in Pascagoula,
Mississippi and her christening was held one year later. ROSS'
plankowning crew moved aboard in April 1997 and sailed her to
Galveston, Texas for the Commissioning on 28 June 1997.
After commissioning, ROSS sailed on a six-week Combat
Systems Ship Qualification Trial and then traveled back to
Pascagoula for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA).
ROSS then returned to her homeport of Portsmouth, Virginia and
completed the Basic Training Phase including Engineering
Certification, CART II, TSTA I, and III, Cruise Missile Tactical
Qualification, Final Evaluation Period (FEP), and Logistics
Management Assessmen.
ROSS completed the Intermediate Training Phase and in
early 1999, she sailed with the THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group
for a Joint Task Force Exercise in preparation for a six-month
deployment commencing on March 26, 1999. During this deployment
to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, ROSS participated in
Operation Allied Force. On September 22, she returned to
Norfolk, Va.
On May 15, 2000, she got underway for Northern Europe to
participate in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2000. She served as
flagship for Commander Carrier Group Eight and together with the
USS PETERSON (DD 969) she operated with more than 50 ships from
numerous European countries. During the exercise the destroyer
visited Stockholm, Sweden and Kiel in Germany before returning
to the United States in late June.
In September 2001, USS ROSS deployed to the Mediterranean
Sea and Arabian Gulf supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and
conducting operations in support of UN resolutions against Iraq.
During the deployment, ROSS was part of the THEODORE ROOSEVELT
(CVN 71) Battle Group.
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