The guided-missile cruiser that was involved in a minor collision with a resupply ship on Feb. 5 has left port after repairs and will shortly resume training with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, USNI News has learned.
USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) departed Naval Station Mayport, Fla. on Thursday to rejoin the strike group nine days after its stern brushed against supply ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5) during an underway replenishment.
“While in port, Leyte Gulf conducted damage assessment and completed all necessary repairs, U.S. Fleet Forces spokesman Capt. Scott Miller told USNI News in a statement. “Leadership dedicated time to ensure investigations and crew assessments were conducted, to include reviewing the crew’s processes and training. Leadership determined the ship and crew were ready to rejoin the strike group.”
There was no injuries and gashes that ranged from six to eight in the side of Leyte Gulf were repaired when the ship was pier-side in Mayport. Peary returned to Virginia.
Peary and Leyte Gulf were performing a complicated CORPEN NOVEMBER turn during the underway replenishment when the collision occurred. Underway resupplies are among the most complex and dangerous maneuvers performed by warships with ships operating as close as 150 feet from each other.
The two ships were training with the Lincoln CSG as part of its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) that began on Jan. 24. The complex, multi-ship exercise lasts weeks and is a final qualification before the CSG leaves for deployment later this year.
The following is the complete statement from U.S. Fleet Forces.
USS Leyte Gulf (CG55) was assessed as ready to return to sea and departed Mayport, FL, today, rejoining the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to complete COMPTUEX. While in port, Leyte Gulf conducted damage assessment and completed all necessary repairs. Leadership dedicated time to ensure investigations and crew assessments were conducted, to include reviewing the crew’s processes and training. Leadership determined the ship and crew were ready to rejoin the strike group.
