The Anzio (CG 68) is the U.S. Navy's 22nd Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser and the second ship to bear the name in honor of the Allied Forces at Anzio and Nettuno, Italy. Her keel was laid down on August 24, 1989, and she was launched on Nov. 2, 1990. Anzio's sponsor, Mrs. Lee Baggett, wife of Adm. Lee Baggett, Jr., USN (Ret.), christened the ship on November 10, 1990. USS Anzio was commissioned in Norfolk, Va., on May 2, 1992.

October 20, 1994 USS Anzio departed Naval Station Norfolk for its maiden Mediterranean deployment, as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVn 69) Battle Group. Steaming into the Adriatic Sea, the battle group participated in peacekeeping and sanctions-enforcement operations including Deny Flight, Provide Promise and Sharp Guard; Returned home on April 14, 1995.

The Anzio departed on May 23, 1997, and took part in Exercise BALTOPS '97 in the Baltic Sea, from June 16-27, joining 47 other ships from 12 European nations in the Partnership for Peace exercise.

June 10, 1998 USS Anzio departed Norfolk for a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Black Seas, as part of the Eisenhower BG. The Battle Group operated in the Adriatic sea in support of NATO's operation "Joint Forge", "Deliberate Forge" and the continued Stabilization Force (SFOR) - contributing to the secure environment necessary for the consolidation of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The guided-missile cruiser took part in a French-sponsored bilateral carrier battle group exercise, FANCY '98, from Sept. 24-29, in the western Mediterranean.

February 18, 2000 USS Anzio departed homeport for scheduled deployment with the IKE Battle Group.

March 6, The Anzio pulled into Portsmouth, England, for a four-day port call after conducting Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) qualifications off Cape Wrath, Scotland, and participation in a British Royal Navy joint and combined warfare training exercise Joint Maritime Course (JMC) 01, from Feb. 29- March 5; Entered the Mediterranean Sea on March 13.

March 20, CG 68 pulled into Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a three-day port visit after participating in a multi-national exercise Shark Hunt.

March 30, USS Anzio anchored off the coast of Cannes, France, for a three-day visit after participated in exercises Pioneer II and Ample Train. Participated in Experiment Golf, a battle group test of the latest new technology Joint Theater Anti-Missile Defence and targeting systems from April 1-11.

April 14, The guided-missile cruise pulled into limassol, Cyprus, for a four-day port visit after participated in exercise Noble Suzanne, off the coast of Israel. Port call to Souda Bay, Greece, from April 21-24; Entered the Adriatic Sea on April 26 and assumes ADC duties; Port visit to Koper, Slovenia, from May 1-5.

May 12, The Anzio arrived in Catania, Italy, for a five-day port visit. After a port call to Izmir, Turkey, (May 19-22), the ship took part in one of the largest NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) exercises Dynamic Mix 2000; Port calls to Souda Bay (June 3-5); Rhodes (June 6-9) and Zakinthos, Greece, (June 12-16).

June 26, USS Anzio pulled into La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy, for a week-long maintenance availability with the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). Another visit to Cannes from July 11-17.

July 21, The Anzio arrived in Dubrovnik, Croatia, for a six-day port visit. Port call to Palma de Mallorca from Aug. 4-8.

August 17, CG 68 arrived in Naval Station Newport, R.I., for a brief stop to pick up "Tigers".

August 18, USS Anzio returned to Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

From Sept. 21-28, the Anzio was underway for a series of tests leading to the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) scheduled for Spring 2001; Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on Sept. 29; Underway for local operations from Nov. 6-9.

From Nov. 21- Dec. 15, USS Anzio participate in for CEC Underway 11 in the Virginia Capes and Puerto Rican Op. Areas. Port call to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., from Nov. 30- Dec. 1.

From January 16-18, 2001, the Anzio was underway for local operations. Underway for CEC Technical Evaluation from Jan. 29- March 5; Brief stop in Mayport on Feb. 5.

February 21, The guided-missile cruise arrived in Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands, for a four-day visit to St. Thomas Island.

From March 28-31, the Anzio was underway for Commanding Officer's Discretionary Time (CODT) in the VACAPES Op. Area. Underway for a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment from April 10-11; Underway for CEC Operational Evaluation from April 17- May 2 and May 8-12.

May 21, USS Anzio departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in the 29th annual maritime exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2001. With naval vessels and over 40 aircraft of 14 nations taking part, the exercise is intended to improve interoperability with Baltic Sea nations and Partnership for Peace countries by conducting a peace support operation at sea.

June 1, CG 68 pulled into Gdynia, Poland, for a four-day port call. Port visit to Kiel, Germany, from June 15-18; Inport Halifax, N.S., Canada, from June 29- July 3; Returned home on July 6.

July 30, USS Anzio arrived at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., to offload ammunition.

August 10, Capt. Mark S. Nesselrode relieved Capt. William F. Barns as CO of the Anzio.

August 15, USS Anzio entered the dry-dock at Metro Machine shipyard in Norfolk, Va., for a five-month Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA).

In summer of 2002, the Anzio deployed to Baltic Sea for BALTOPS '02. The exercise was concluded with a port visit to Kiel, Germany, from June 21-24.

January 9, 2003 USS Anzio departed Naval Station Norfolk for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Battle Group.

February 4, The Anzio commenced its surge Middle East deployment from the Puerto Rican Op. Area after completing COMPTUEX. Port call to Gibraltar from Feb. 14-15.

March 23, USS Anzio fired 8 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from the station in the eastern Mediterranean; 4 TLAMs fired on March 27; Transited Suez Canal on March 30 and entered Arabian Gulf on April 4; NAR operations from April 15- May 6.

May 8, The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Jebel Ali, U.A.E., for a four-day port call. Returned to Mediterranean on May 23; Port call Augusta Bay, Italy, from May 26-30.

June 2, The Anzio arrived in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a five-day port visit.

June 20, CG 68 pulled into Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a four-day port call after participating in a multinational training exercise Neon Tapon '03, from June 14-19.

July 3, USS Anzio returned to homeport after six-month combat deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

From August 12-15, the Anzio was underway for Group Sail operations as part of TR CSG.

August 22, Capt. James M. Carr relieved Capt. Mark S. Nesselrode as CO of the USS Anzio during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Norfolk.

September 12, CG 68 departed Naval Station Norfolk in support of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) CSG's COMPTUEX. Brief stop in Naval Station Mayport from Sept. 21-22; Port call to Morehead City, N.C., from Oct. 4-6; Returned home on Oct. 7.

November 5, USS Anzio arrived in Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, for a five-day port visit to conduct school ship training with the Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS); Ammo offload at NWS Yorktown from Nov. 17-21.

January 17, 2004 The Anzio moored to Midtown Pier at MHI Ship Repair & Services in Norfolk, Va., for a two-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Returned to Naval Station Norfolk on March 17; Underway for sea trials from March 24-25; Underway again from March 29- April 1.

May 26, USS Anzio arrived in New York City, New York, for a week-long port visit to participate in a Fleet Week festivities. Underway for routine training from July 12-21; Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on July 23.

October 13, The Anzio departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in a Royal Navy's Joint Maritime Course (JMC) 04-3 in the northern Atlantic. Inport Greenock, Scotland, from Oct. 22-25.

November 5, The guided-missile cruiser pulled into HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, for a two-day visit. Port call to Brest, France, from Nov. 8-12; Returned home on Nov. 18.

May 20, 2005 USS Anzio departed Norfolk in support of the 33rd annual maritime exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2005. This year’s international exercise, co-hosted by Latvia and the United States, includes 11 participating nations in the spirit of "Partnership for Peace." BALTOPS will include more than 4,100 personnel, 40 ships, two submarines and more than 28 aircraft from allied and Partnership for Peace (PFP) nations.

April 24, 2006 The Anzio is currently participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, in preparation for a scheduled deployment.

May 24, USS Anzio arrived in New York City to participate in the 19th Navy Fleet Week celebration from May 24-30.

October 3, USS Anzio, commanded by Capt. William P. Bingham, departed Naval Station Norfolk, with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG, in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Port call to Naples, Italy, from Oct. 17-21.

October 23, The Anzio anchored off the coast of Tivat, Montenegro, for a three-day port call. She is the first U.S. Navy ship to visit Tivat since 1975.

November 10, USS Anzio provided assistance to a 35 meter Iranian-flagged dhow "SINAA" from from Kubala, Iran, approximately 140 miles off the coast of Pakistan, while conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the Arabian Sea. She supplied the dhow with water, fuel and food to sustain her crew of 24 for their transit home.

December 11, The guided-missile cruiser entered the Arabian Gulf along with the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

December 22, The Anzio pulled into Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a scheduled port visit.

January 8, 2007 CG 68 is currently off the coast of Somalia conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in an effort to capture al Qaeda terrorists attempting to flee the country.

February 13, USS Anzio came to the rescue of a Pakistan-flagged dhow Al-Sanaullah, in distress in the Arabian Sea. After the crew requested assistance from a passing Anzio helicopter, the cruiser provided the dhow with water, food and fuel.

March 3, The Ticonderoga-class cruiser recently departed Manama, Bahrain, after a routine port call.

April 15, USS Anzio, along with USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77) successfully completed Unit Level Training and Readiness Assessment-Sustainment (ULTRA-S) from April 9-14. Port visit to Rhodes, Greece, from May 6-11.

May 21, The Anzio responded to a distress call on May 20 from Amerauto, a 34-foot sailing vessel. The vessel was slowly sinking and the four crew members were transferred to the cruiser. Amerauto was 425 miles from Bermuda when they put out their distress call and 1,700 miles from their next destination of the Azores. The vessel and its Ukrainian crew of four had been underway for five days after departing Bermuda on May 15, heading for the Azores. The Anzio also aided the small vessel, Elena, a Hylas 46 Sloop, by supplying them with fuel and fresh fruits and vegetables on May 19, approximately 500 miles west of the Azores.

May 23, USS Anzio returned to homeport after a nearly eight-month deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet AoR.

April 7, 2008 CG 68 is currently transiting the Atlantic Ocean to participate in the Joint Warrior 081, a United Kingdom-led multi-national warfare exercise, off the coast of Scotland, from April 19 through May 2.

February 5, 2009 The guided-missile cruiser is currently participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the USS Bataan (LHD 5) ESG, in preparation for the upcoming deployment later this year.

May 13, USS Anzio, commanded by Capt. Frank J. Olmo, departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in the 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

June 4, The Anzio recently arrived in Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, for a routine port call.

June 28, USS Anzio relieved USS Gettysburg (CG 64) as the flagship for Combined Task Force (CTF) 151.

August 13, Rear Adm. Scott E. Sanders relieved Turkish Navy Rear Adm. Caner Bener as commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the Anzio in Manama, Bahrain. Sanders became the first selective reserve admiral to command a combined task force at sea.

October 15, The crew of USS Anzio seized 4 tons of hashish with an estimated worth of $28 million, while on patrol in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 170 miles southwest of Salalah, Oman.

December 4, USS Anzio returned to Norfolk after a nearly seven-month deployment.

January 14, 2011 Capt. John M. Dorey relieved Capt. Frank J. Olmo as the 11th CO of Anzio.

January 25, The Anzio is currently underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) as part of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) CSG.

May 11, USS Anzio departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility; Entered the Mediterranean Sea on May 21.

May 31, The guided-missile cruiser arrived in Varna, Bulgaria, for a goodwill port visit.

June 3, USS Anzio arrived in Odessa, Ukraine, for a four-day port call before participating in a multinational exercise Sea Breeze 2011, from June 6-18.

June 12, The Anzio departed Batumi, Georgia, after a three-day port visit. Trandited Bosporus Strait southbound on June 14.

July 6, CG 68 is currently conducting counter-piracy and maritime security operations in the Central Command AoR, as part of the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. The ship departed Djibouti on July 1 after a routine port call.

August 18, USS Anzio pulled into Port Victoria, Seychelles, for a four-day port visit.

September 29, The Anzio recently arrived in Manama, Bahrain, for a routine port visit.

November 24, The guided-missile cruiser pulled into Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a three-day port visit.

December 10, USS Anzio returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a seven-month deployment.

February 5, 2012 USS Anzio is currently participating in a joint and multinational amphibious assault exercise Bold Alligator 2012, off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina, from Jan. 30- Feb. 12.

July 3, CG 68 recently moored at the Prince George Wharf in Nassau, The Bahamas, for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the Independence Day.

September 15, The Anzio arrived at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., for a five-day port call before participating in at-sea phase of exercise UNITAS Atlantic (LANT) 53-2012; Inport Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from Sept. 29-30.

October 5, USS Anzio moored at Massport's Marine Terminal/North Jetty in Boston, Mass., for a four-day port visit to participate in Columbus Day weekend.

January 20, 2013 The Anzio is currently underway in support of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) CSG's COMPTUEX, as part of the opposition forces.

February 28, Capt. Timothy R. Trampenau relieved Capt. John M. Dorey as commanding officer of CG 68.

October 1, The guided-missile cruiser is currently undergoing a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) while pierside at Naval Station Norfolk.

July 3, 2014 USS Anzio moored at Breakwater Pier in Eastport, Maine, for a four-day port visit to participate in Independence Day and Old Home Week festivities.

July 31, The Anzio moored outboard the USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a five-day port visit before participating in exercises with the Canadian Navy and Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2 ships.

August 14, CG 68 pulled into Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for a four-day port visit before participating in Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX); Returned home on Aug. 26; Underway in support of the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) ARG's MEUEX on Sept. 3.

November 25, Capt. Brian K. Sorenson relieved Capt. Timothy R. Trampenau as the 13th CO of USS Anzio during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Naval Station Norfolk.

March 27, 2015 USS Anzio departed homeport to participate in a multinational exercise Joint Warrior 15-1; Moored at HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, from April 9-12.

April 25, The Anzio moored at Arsenal de Brest, France, for a five-day port call.

May 2, USS Anzio moored at Cobh Cruise Terminal for a two-day port visit to Cork, Ireland.

May 7, USS Anzio moored at East NATO Fuel Pier in Portinho da Costa, Portugal, for a four-day liberty port visit; Returned to Norfolk on May 17.

June 22, The guided-missile cruiser is currently underway for routine training and in support of the USS Harry S. Truman Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA).

June 25, The Anzio conducted a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) Operational Test Launch (OTL) off the coast of Florida.

August 20, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) Dive Team Charlie completed an emergent 10-day change out of the Anzio's port side propeller blades, while the ship was moored at Naval Station Norfolk.

August 30, USS Anzio departed homeport to participate in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task force Exercise (JTFEX), as part of the USS Harry S. Truman CSG-8; Moored at NWS Yorktown for ammo onload.

September 10, Rear Adm. Bret C. Batchelder, Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 relieved of duty Capt. Brian Sorenson after investigators made a preliminary finding that he engaged in personal misconduct. Capt. Francis X. Castellano, the CO of USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), assumed temporary command of the Anzio.

October 8, The Anzio recently moored at Berth 1, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk after an extended five-week underway due to Hurricane Joaquin.

November 16, USS Anzio departed Norfolk for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

December 6, CG 68 moored at Lora Naval Base in Split, Croatia, for a three-day port visit; Transited the Suez Canal on Dec. 14.

January 6, 2016 USS Anzio moored at Berth 6, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd, Bahrain, for a four-day liberty visit to Manama.

January 13, Ten U.S. Navy Sailors, assigned to Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, that were captured Tuesday after their two RCBs entered Iranian waters near Farsi Island, while en route from Kuwait to Bahrain, were released today from the Revolutionary Guards base at Farsi around 11.43 (Bahrain Time). They were escorted by Iranian boats to a rendezvous point in the Arabian Gulf and than boarded the USS Anzio for medical checks.

March 28, USS Anzio departed Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, after a liberty port visit to Dubai.

June 2, The guided-missile cruiser entered the Mediterranean Sea after transiting Suez Canal.

June 20, USS Anzio moored at Kolossos Berth in Akantia Harbour for a four-day liberty port visit to Rhodes, Greece; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound on July 2.

July 13, USS Anzio moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk after an extended eight-month deployment.

October ?, The Anzio moored at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for a routine port call; Emergency sortied due to approaching Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 4.

November 18, Cmdr. Thomas E. Myers relieved Capt. Francis X. Castellano as the 15th commanding officer of CG 68.

November 28, USS Anzio departed Norfolk in support of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) CSG's COMPTUEX, as part of opposition forces.

April 16, 2017 The Anzio is currently moored at Berth 2, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk.

May 12, USS Anzio was inducted into the Navy's guided-missile cruisers Phased Modernization program, following an Induction Continuous Maintenance Availability (I-CMAV), during a ceremony on board the ship. Also, Lt. Cmdr. Robert L. Franklin, III relieved Cmdr. Thomas E. Myers as CO of the CG 68.

December 20, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair was awarded a $45,3 million contract for the Special Selected Restricted Availability (SSRA) of USS Anzio. Work is expected to be completed by October 2018.

January 29, 2018 The Anzio moved "dead-stick" from Naval Station Norfolk to Pier 4N on BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair; Moved to Pier 1 on Nov. ?.

July 11, 2019 Lt. Cmdr. Curtis L. Thomas, II relieved Cmdr. Robert L. Franklin, III as CO of the Anzio during a change-of-command ceremony at Joint Forces Staff College's Normandy Hall in Norfolk.

September ?, USS Anzio moved from Pier 1 to Pier 4N on BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair.

April 3, 2020 The Anzio moved "dead-stick" from BAE Systems shipyard to Berth 2, Pier 2 on Naval Station Norfolk.

December 14, Lt. Cmdr. Greg J. Piorun, Jr., relieved Lt. Cmdr. Curtis L. Thomas, II as CO of the Anzio during a brief ceremony in the ship's pilot house.

October 12, 2021 USS Anzio moved from Pier 2 to Berth 2, Pier 1 on Naval Station Norfolk.

September 22, 2022 USS Anzio held a decommissioning ceremony a Quay Wall 1 on Naval Station Norfolk, after more than 30 years of active service.

September 30, USS Anzio was officially decommissioned and stricken from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register.

December 6, The ex-USS Anzio departed Naval Station Norfolk, under tow by offshore tug Gary Chouest, en route to Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia, Pa.