USS Lake Erie (CG-70) is the U.S. Navy ship currently docked at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility in St. Croix as of today, the Virgin Islands Free Press can confirm.
This Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser arrived at the Frederiksted Pier on November 10, 2025, shortly after the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) departed following a four-day port visit.
The USS Lake Erie’s military purpose is a routine port call for resupply, maintenance, and rest and recuperation for the crew as part of ongoing U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) operations in the Caribbean.
This includes enhanced counter-narcotics missions targeting drug cartels, regional stability efforts amid tensions near Venezuela, and humanitarian support, such as aid delivery after Hurricane Melissa.
The cruiser’s Aegis combat system and missile capabilities allow it to provide air defense and escort support to amphibious groups like the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group during these deployments.
Aegis combat system overview
The Aegis Combat System (ACS) is the most advanced integrated naval air-defense and surface warfare system in the world.
It is the backbone of U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class cruisers (CG-52 to CG-73) and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (DDG-51 and later), and has been adopted by Japan, South Korea, Spain, Norway, and Australia.
Meanwhile, a Virgin Islands Free Press reader had his eyes wide open at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport today.
“There were six CIA special ops greyed out, completely unmarked jets of the C17 capacity at the St. Croix airport when we picked up Leah a hour ago,” Craig Winn said on Facebook. “Something nefarious is up.”
