San Jacinto hosts 35th commissioning anniversary celebration

FromCommander,NavalSurface

ForceAtlantic

NORFOLK Va TheTiconderoga-class guided-missilecruiserUSSSanJacinto(CG 56)hostedformercrewmembersandfamily as part of the ship’s 35th commissioning anniversarycelebration,Jan.23

Named after the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, the San Jacinto was formally commissioned on Jan. 23, 1988 by VicePresidentGeorgeHWBush.

In the years following, thousands of Sailors solidified the ship’s place in history by conducting missions for operations including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Most notably, the ship launchedthefirstTomahawkCruisemissiles ever in battle during Desert Storm. In addition to combat operations, San Jacinto also served in many presence operations to include the most recent deployment to U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group,sailingmorethan60,000miles.

“While the Sailors of San Jacinto have changed over the last three and a half decades, the impact of their hard work, here and abroad, will never be taken for granted,” said Capt. Christopher Marvin, San Jacinto’s commanding officer “The sense of pride ‘Gunslingers’ have for this ship and what she has accomplished for our nation will be a part of them forever This reunion gives us a chance to rememberallthattheshipandcollectivecrewhas accomplished over the years.”

The commissioning anniversary events wereanopportunityforcurrentandformer crew members colloquially known as “Gunslingers,” to share stories, reconnect, and celebrate the legacy of the ship Activities included tours for former crew and theirfamiliesandaformaldinner Thetours allowedformercrewmemberstoreflecton theirtimeaboardandsharetheirmemories withfamilymembers.

“The 35th Anniversary marked a major milestone in San Jacinto’s storied service history,” said Cmdr Glenn Atherton, San Jacinto’s executive officer “(The) celebration was unique and also allowed for ‘Gunslingers’ past and present to share sea stories,learnabouteachother,andseehow the ship has changed over her venerable career.Formany thismighthavebeentheir last opportunity to board San Jacinto while she’sinactiveservice.

Guests included Vice Adm. Jim Kilby, RearAdm.(Ret.)RobKatz,andfourformer commandingofficers

“Working with the crew of San Jacinto shaped me and my experience in the Navy,” said Vice Adm. Jim Kilby, deputy commander,U.S.FleetForcesCommand SanJacintoisscheduledtodecommission at the end of the fiscal year and currently servesunderCarrierStrikeGroup(CSG)8.

For more news from CSG 8 and USS San Jacinto,visit:www.facebook.com/CSG8; https://www.facebook.com/USSSanJacinto; https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/cg56