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 Bunker Hill was the first Ticonderoga-class cruiser to be equipped with the Mk. 41 VLS in place of the previous ships' Mk. 26 twin-arm missile launchers, greatly improving the flexibility and firepower of the ships by allowing them to fire BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles. After commissioning, Bunker Hill entered the Pacific Fleet via the Panama Canal and began short notice work-ups to deploy to the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Bunker Hill made her first deployment in July 1987, nearly one year ahead of schedule during which she provided an anti-air warfare umbrella inside the Arabian Gulf for Missouri and other US flagged tankers and ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. In August 1988, Bunker Hill shifted homeports from San Diego to Yokosuka, Japan joining the Midway Carrier Battlegroup for a four month deployment in the Seventh Fleet, for which she was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. She was also awarded her first Battle Efficiency Award. In November 1990, Bunker Hill sailed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm and served as the multinational Air Warfare Commander (AAWC) and as one of the first ships to launch a Tomhawk Land Attack Cruise Missile against Iraqi targets. Following the conclusion of the Gulf War, Bunker Hill participated in organizing and establishing Operation Southern Watch, the complex enforcement of the United Nations established no-fly zone over southern Iraq. Bunker Hill made a historical visit to the Russian city Vladivostok in 1993, and then one year later she made a port visit to Qingdao in the People's Republic of China. In March 1996, she took station south of Taiwan to monitor missile tests by the People's Liberation Army. In July 1998, Bunker Hill shifted homeports from Yokosuka, Japan back to San Diego. Most recently, Bunker Hill deployed with Abraham Lincoln Battle Group. She again participated in Operation Southern Watch and conducted boardings and inspections of over 40 merchant vessels in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. Bunker Hill also escorted Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group while conducting humanitarian operations off East Timor and training exercises in Kuwait. Bunker Hill acted as Air Defense Commander for the ARG where she designed and implemented innovative procedures for CG integration into an Amphibious Ready Group. Following the attack on Cole, Bunker Hill sortied from Bahrain to provide suport and protection to seven USN and USNS ships based there and subsequently remained at sea for 67 consecutive days. Bunker Hill returned from deployment in February 2001. Since her commissioning, Bunker Hill has deployed six times to the Arabian Gulf and has earned eight Battle "E" Awards, including the Golden Battle "E" in 1996 which is given when a ship receives five such awards consecutively. This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register. External link
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