USS Princeton returns to San Diego after 9-month deployment

by Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Allison

12 August 2025
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, returned to its homeport of San Diego after a historic nine-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations, Aug. 13.

The Princeton served as the air defense coordinator for CSG-1 during the deployment.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work Princeton’s Sailors did during this deployment,” said Capt. John Loomis, commanding officer of the Princeton. “Their hard work allowed this ship, the most lethal warship in the world, to provide integrated air defense and strike capability to Carrier Strike Group 1. The Princeton's presence and operations reinforced our nation's commitment to both friend and foe in multiple theaters across the globe. The warfighting capability of these Sailors and this ship are second to none.”

The 364 Sailors aboard the Princeton departed San Diego, Nov. 18, 2024, and conducted port visits in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Port Klang, Malaysia; Busan, Republic of Korea; Laem Chabang, Thailand; and Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan. During these stops, Princeton Sailors learned about local cultures and performed community service activities with local non-profits.

While in the Indo-Pacific, the Princeton participated in multinational operations with ships from the French Navy, Republic of Korea Navy, and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. Sailors from the Princeton also cross-decked with French sailors as part of a knowledge exchange, touring the French Navy’s horizon-class frigate FS Forbin (D620) in February.

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is a multiplatform team of ships and aircraft, capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions around the globe from combat missions to humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

CSG 1-consists of the Carl Vinson, embarked staffs of CSG-1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, the Princeton and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110).

CVW-2 is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22B Osprey and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks.

As an integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.