TICONDEROGA, the First Aegis cruiser, is rusting in Philadelphia. Not only is she the first of her class, she took the fight to the enemy and became the shield of the fleet. Having lived up to all she was tasked throughout her service life, TICONDEROGA was the first home to hundreds of Sailors. As with your first car, you never forget it. TICONDEROGA gave the United States a clear advantage in, and led to the peaceful conclusion of, the Cold War.