Cruiser USS Cape St. George arrives in San Diego after extensive modernization

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St George enters San Diego Bay on April Photo by Kelby Sanders U S Navy One of three Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers being upgraded by the Navy has arrived in its new homeport of San Diego The USS Cape St George docked at Naval Base San Diego last Tuesday after a modernization initiative that began in The work included upgrades to its hull mechanical systems engineering and combat suite The ship has now has the latest Aegis Combat System new radar and capability to carry the advanced SM- missile which can shoot down aircraft cruise missiles and ballistic missiles at ranges over miles Repairing and restoring systems after an extended modernization was a herculean effort and this talented crew is the reason the ship was able to return to sea and reintegrate into our Navy s fighting force noted Capt Jennifer Pontius commanding officer of Cape St George The warship is one of three aging cruisers that the Navy is upgrading prior to replacement by the latest version of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missiles destroyer which is literally larger than the old cruisers The USS Gettysburg and USS Chosin are also being upgraded The Cape St George whose name commemorates a battle fought in the South Pacific in was commissioned over years ago in Because of the modernization it will remain in function into