Navy
USS Cowpens, a ship that helped establish the Tomahawk as a feared weapon, decommissioned in San Diego
Staff and wire reports
August 28, 2024
Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) participate in the ship’s decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 27, 2024. (Claire M. DuBois/U.S. Navy)
Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), a ship that helped establish the Tomahawk cruise missile as one of the military’s most feared weapons, was retired Tuesday at Naval Base San Diego.
Hundreds gathered at the decommissioning to celebrate the ship’s 33 years of service.
“A guiding principle in the last chapter onboard has been to honor the legacy of Cowpens,” said Cmdr. Jac O. Ullman III, the ship’s commanding officer.
The move is part of an effort to decommission all remaining Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers before the end of the decade. The Navy built 27 of the ships from 1980 through 1994 to counter the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Thirteen are still in service. The class is being replaced by Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
Cmdr. Jac Ullman III, commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), delivers opening remarks at the ship’s decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 27, 2024. (Claire M. DuBois/U.S. Navy)
Cmdr. Jac O. Ullman III, commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), right, presents an American Flag representing the ship’s Ensign to retired Vice Adm. Edward Moore during the ship’s decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 27, 2024. (Claire M. DuBois/U.S. Navy)
Sailors and guests render honors to the national Ensign at the decommissioning ceremony for the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) at Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 27, 2024. (Claire M. DuBois/U.S. Navy)
Cmdr. Timothy Barry, executive officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), left, watches as its crew leaves the ship during its decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 27, 2024. (Claire M. DuBois/U.S. Navy)
Retired Vice Adm. Edward Moore delivers remarks at the decommissioning ceremony for the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) at Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 27, 2024. (Claire M. DuBois/U.S. Navy)
Retired Vice Adm. Edward Moore delivers remarks at the decommissioning ceremony for the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) at Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 27, 2024. (Claire M. DuBois/U.S. Navy)
The Cowpens was launched in March 1989 in Charleston, S.C. It is the second warship to be named after the Battle of Cowpens, a Revolutionary War battle in which colonial soldiers defeated British troops near Chesnee, S.C. Historians say the fight occurred close to pastures known as cow pens.
The latter warship is affectionately known as the Mighty Moo and its crews as the Thundering Herd.
“To honor the grit, determination, and creativity of the Continental Army and militiamen from that cold battlefield,” Ullman said. “To honor the service of those on the first USS Cowpens — CVL 25 — and to honor the legacy of those who served before us during Mighty Moo’s 33-year career. … We have done just that.”
The Cowpens was commissioned in March 1991. Less that two years later, the ship fired 10 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Iraq, which had violated no-fly zone sanctions in the region. The volley was part of a major strike by coalition forces. In March 2003, as part of the USS Kitty Hawk battle group, it was the first warship to launch Tomahawk missiles into Iraq, marking the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom — the campaign that brought down Saddam Hussein.
USS Cowpens participated in many operations and exercises, contributing significantly to U.S. naval power projection and security. From enforcing no-fly zones to conducting maritime security operations, the ship demonstrated versatility and capability across a range of mission profiles.
Contributing: The San Diego Union-Tribune (TNS).
USS Cowpens (CG 63), foreground, is followed by USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) during a photo exercise to kick off Exercise Valiant Shield 2006 in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday June 18, 2006. (U.S. Navy)
USS Cowpens sailors stand watch in front of the vertical launching system in March 2003. (Kendra Helmer/Stars and Stripes)
Ensign George Bick, 25, gives a thumbs-up from the helicopter control tower on the USS Cowpens as a helicopter makes a brief stop on the guided missile cruiser in the northern Persian Gulf in March 2003. (Kendra Helmer/Stars and Stripes)
From the bridge of the USS Cowpens, Ensign Rebecca Farley, an engineering training officer, watches a helicopter drop off ammunition from the USNS Flint (background) in March 2003. (Kendra Helmer/Stars and Stripes)
Sailors of the USS Cowpens wave as they return to Yokosuka Naval Base in May 2003. The USS returned Tuesday with the USS Kitty Hawk and USS John S. McCain from their deployment to the Persian Gulf. (Jim Schulz/Stars and Stripes)