Philippine Sea Turns 25

From USS Philippine Sea Public Affairs

USS PHILIPPINE SEA, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special birthday dinner on the mess decks, March 23.

Commissioned in March 1989, she is named for the Battle of the Philippine Sea which occurred during World War II. This is the second ship to bear the name.

For one crew member, the Philippine Sea has become a very familiar place. Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Terzian, the ship's chief engineer, first came to the ship as an engineman third class petty officer in 1996 and left four years later as a first class petty officer.

"This ship really molded my career," said Terzian. "This is where I decided to go all out in the Navy, give it everything I have and to try and become a limited duty officer (LDO). I couldn't wish for anywhere else to do my final sea tour."

Despite a quarter century of use, Philippine Sea is still as ready for action as the day she entered the fleet.

"We take pride in the engineering world that we're what's called 'seven-up,'" said Chief Warrant Officer Allan Layne, the ship's main propulsion assistant. "Meaning, all four main engines and all three gas-turbine engines are available and ready for tasking."

"It's been a great pleasure and honor to serve on the Philippine Sea," said Layne, who will be retiring in the coming month. "The hard work by the young men and women aboard prove that this 25-year-old ship can still sail with any of your newer model ships out there and be a formidable force."

Philippine Sea is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.