Doug W Kelly - Online Memorial Website

USS YORKTOWN (CG 48) served as a stabilizing force during her third and fourth Mediterranean deployments, while

the world watched in wonder at the end of the Cold War and the tremendous coalition victory in DESERT STORM.

During the latter of these two deployments, YORKTOWN participated in the first U.S. military exercises with the

Romanian and Bulgarian navies, and played a key role in Operation PROVIDE COMFORT, which provided humanitarian

relief and security for the Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq. In the summer of 1992, YORKTOWN participated in

BALTOPS '92. During this cruise, YORKTOWN made a highly acclaimed port visit to Severmorsk, Russia, becoming the

first U.S. ship to visit that port since the end of World War II.

In 1993, YORKTOWN was awarded the Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic Ship Safety Award for a superior

safety record. YORKTOWN has also been awarded two Navy Unit Commendations and a Meritorious Unit

Commendation, and is a four-time winner of the coveted Battle Efficiency "E."

YORKTOWN served as Flagship for Commander, Task Group 4.1, during Counter-Drug Operations in the Caribbean in

May - July 1993.

In August 1993, YORKTOWN participated in the joint military Exercise SOLID STANCE in the North

Atlantic. YORKTOWN's operations through the end of 1993 included an October - November excursion to the Caribbean

to support the United Nations embargo of Haiti. In April - May 1994, YORKTOWN returned to the Caribbean Sea as

Force Air Warfare Commander during joint exercise AGILE PROVIDER. While in the Caribbean, YORKTOWN served as

Flagship for Commander, Destroyer Squadron Six, coordinating a six ship, twenty-six missile exercise.

 In the Summer of

1994, YORKTOWN achieved a resounding score of 101 during Naval Gun Fire Support (NGFS) qualification.

In August of 1994, YORKTOWN set sail for the Adriatic Sea as Flagship for Commander, Standing Naval Forces Atlantic

in support of United Nations embargo of the former Republic of Yugoslavia. During this six month deployment,

YORKTOWN served as the Air Warfare Commander for the Adriatic Sea, participating in a joint task force of ships from

the United States and eight European nations.

In May - June 1995, YORKTOWN proceeded south to serve as Air

Warfare Commander for the Caribbean Sea in support of Counter-Drug Operations.

In December 1995, the Smart Ship Project Office was created and USS YORKTOWN was chosen as the prototype

Smart Ship. The Smart Ship Program aims at reducing manning while maintaining readiness through technological

installations and philosophy changes. The core technologies installed in YORKTOWN are a 16 workstation fiber optic

Local Area Network (LAN), Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Voyage Management System (VMS), Damage Control

System(DCS), Integrated Conditioning and Assessment System (ICAS), HYDRA wireless communication system, and

Standard Machinery Control System (SMCS).

In September 1996, YORKTOWN changed homeports from Norfolk, VA, to Pascagoula, MS, after being tasked primarily

with supporting operations in the Caribbean and South America.

In May 1997, YORKTOWN (with a reduced crew aboard) completed a five month Counter Narcotic deployment in the

Caribbean followed by test operations with the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) carrier battle group. During

these periods Navy Manpower and Analysis Center (NAVMAC) conducted a detailed review of manpower requirements,

and Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) verified the ship’s ability to meet all Required

On September 25, 1997, USS YORKTOWN (CG 48) departed Pascagoula for a four month Counter Narcotics

Deployment in the Caribbean. Before beginning patrolling efforts, YORKTOWN embarked staff members from

COMSECONDFLT. Supported by the helicopter detachment, the Second Fleet staff surveyed and photographed another

island slated as a potential replacement for training exercises if the Navy is unable to continue at Vieques Island in

Puerto Rico. The ship made port calls in Jamaica; Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; Rodman, Panama; Manta, Ecuador; and

Cozumel, Mexico.

In 2000, the ship underwent a Dry Dock maintenance overhaul in Mobile, AL.

In 2004, the USS YORKTOWN (CG 48) completed a six-month deployment with the USS WASP (LHD 1) Expeditionary

Strike Group (ESG 2), making key contributions to Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Market Time II in

support of the global war on terrorism. The USS YORKTOWN (CG 48)was decommissioned on December 3, 2004, at

her homeport of Pascagoula, Miss.