Keywords: US Navy 020124-N-6626D-502 USS Vella Gulf - at sea.jpg en 020124-N-6626D-502 Operation Enduring Freedom Jan 24 2002 -- The guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf CG 72 pulls along side USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71 Guided missile cruisers perform primarily in a Battle Force role These ships are multi-mission surface combatants capable of supporting carrier battle groups amphibious forces or while operating independently serve as flagships for surface action groups Due to their extensive combat capability these ships have been designated as Battle Force Capable BFC units The cruisers are equipped with Tomahawk long range strike mission capability The Vella Gulf is part of the Roosevelt Battle Group deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom U S Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Amy DelaTorres RELEASED 2002-01-24 020124-N-6626D-502 Navy http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 712 U S Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Amy DelaTorres PD-USGov-Military-Navy Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 01-24 USS Vella Gulf CG-72 January 2002 photographs 24 January January 2002 in the United States |