Ross's keel was laid on 10 April 1995 by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi and her christening was held a year later, sponsored by Helen Ross, widow of Capt. Ross. Her plankowning crew moved aboard in April 1997 and sailed her to Galveston, Texas for the commissioning on 28 June 1997. She is currently part of Carrier Strike Group Two.