The Mobile Bay missile cruiser was ordered for construction from Ingalls Shipbuilding Company on January 15, 1982. It was launched on August 22, 1985 and commissioned on February 21, 1987.
After completing its sea trials, the Mobile Bay joined the United States Atlantic Fleet and began its first deployment on May 11, 1989. In June 1990, Mobile Bay transferred its homeport from Mayport, Florida to Yokosuka, Japan. Shortly thereafter, the Mobile Bay was dispatched in August 1990 to support Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, becoming the first Aegis cruiser to circumnavigate the world. In the Persian Gulf, the ship stood out as the first air defense commander to control four aircraft carrier task forces. During the operation, the Mobile Bay launched a total of 22 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.
The Mobile Bay participated in the US invasion of Iraq from June 17 to December 17, 2004, and was later awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal
In 2006, the cruiser Mobile Bay was deployed to the Western Pacific to serve as the overall air defense commander for the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. On February 16, 2007, Mobile Bay was awarded the 2006 Combat E Award.
The Mobile Bay was originally planned to upgrade its Aegis system, but due to funding issues with Congress and the US Navy's intention to save money on building more destroyers and unmanned vessels, the Mobile Bay had to be decommissioned directly. The Mobile Bay was finally decommissioned on August 10, 2023 at the San Diego Naval Base after 36 years of service.
