guided missile platform built to screen aircraft carriers and provide combat air support. On 30 June 1975, Fox was reclassified as a guided missile cruisers (CG). Original armament included anti-submarine (ASROC) and anti-air (Terrier) guided missiles. Such systems could automatically locate, track and engage the enemy at extremely long ranges. In addition to a 5-inch / 54 caliber gun and two MK32 torpedo launchers; AN/SQS-26 sonar; AN/SPS-48 three-dimensional radar; AN/SPS-40 two-dimensional radar; NTDS (later CDS) computer processing and dissemination of tactical information data systems, other equipment was added including quad-canister Harpoon surface to surface missile launchers and Vulcan Phalanx Close in Weapons System. During her final shipyard overhaul in 1989, Fox received the New Threat Upgrade (NTU) combat system which significantly enhanced her warfighting potential. Foxs first visit to the Red Sea was in March 1976. Her first deployment to the Persian Gulf took place in November 1980. The Iran-Iraq conflicts of the 1980s made it necessary for Fox to escort U.S. flagged oil tankers through such areas as the Strait of Hormuz of the Arabian Sea. Her deployment during 1987 included this mission which earned Fox her second Meritorious Unit Commendation. Between 1966 and 1993, Fox had made 15 deployments to areas of conflict. Additional awards for service and valor include three Battle "E" Ribbons, two Navy Expeditionary Medals for services in the Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf, two National Defense Service Medals, the Vietnam Service Medal (with two bronze stars), the Southwest Asia Service Medal (with bronze star), Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Fox concluded her last overseas cruise near the end of 1993 and immediately began inactivation preparations. Decommissioned in mid-April 1994 and was laid up at Inactive Ship Facility, Suisun Bay, California. She was sold for scrapping in 2006 to International Shipbreaking, Limited, Brownsville, Texas. References External links USS Fox DLG/CG-33 Association Belknap-class cruisers Ships built in Los Angeles 1964 ships Cold War cruisers of the United States Vietnam War cruisers of the United States