Bainbridge-class (CGN-25)

Summary

Description

USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25/CGN-25) was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy and was the first nuclear-powered destroyer-type ship in the fleet. Named after Commodore William Bainbridge, this cruiser was the fourth to bear the name and served notably for over three decades in various parts of the world including the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, and Middle East. The Bainbridge was redesignated from a destroyer leader, or "frigate," to a guided missile cruiser in 1975 and remained in service until it was decommissioned in 1996.

The Bainbridge was constructed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, and was commissioned in October 1962. After initial operating tests and a first Mediterranean deployment, she demonstrated her capabilities by joining two other nuclear-powered vessels, the Enterprise and Long Beach, in Task Force 1. This task force accomplished Operation "Sea Orbit," which was an unrefueled circumnavigation of the globe, emphasizing the strategic mobility and endurance of nuclear-powered naval vessels.

Throughout her operational history, Bainbridge participated in numerous deployments, including eleven cruises with the Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific. During the Vietnam War, she played active roles, providing carrier screening, radar-picket duties, and search and rescue operations. Additionally, she underwent overhauls and nuclear refueling in 1967-1968 and between June 1974 and April 1977, ensuring her capabilities stayed up to date with modern technological advances.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Bainbridge shifted from the Pacific Fleet to the Atlantic Fleet, executing various assignments such as counter-drug operations and deployments to northern Europe. She partook in Mediterranean cruises, which included combat operations off Libya, support of Operation Sharp Guard against Yugoslavia, and participation in Operation Deny Flight over Bosnia, where her advanced AAW suite played a pivotal role in air warfare coordination. Her service culminated with recognition for her contributions to Vietnam, her numerous deployments, and her support in enforcing United Nations sanctions.

Bainbridge's decommissioning process began in October 1995 and was officially completed in September 1996. The vessel was then moved to Bremerton, Washington, in mid-1997 to undergo the "recycling" process. Throughout her service life, Bainbridge earned numerous honors and awards, including Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, Navy "E" Ribbons, expeditionary and service medals, and a total of eight battle stars for her Vietnam service.

Technical specifications