As part of the continued deployment of assets and personnel along the border with Mexico, the United States Navy has once again sent an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer to conduct surveillance missions within the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) area of operations. According to reports, following its recent return from the Red Sea, USS Cole (DDG-67) was deployed last week to replace USS Gravely (DDG-107), which had been operating in the area since March 15.
As has been addressed on several occasions, the arrival of the new administration at the White House brought a shift in national security policy, focusing on strengthening border security with Mexico. Under this approach, both naval assets from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, as well as troops, have been deployed along the border between the two countries.
For several months now, the Navy has rotated destroyers to support national security missions along both the East and West Coasts, with embarked Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs) from the U.S. Coast Guard. This mission is part of the Department of Defense’s broader support for efforts to reinforce border security and contribute to the defense of U.S. territory.
In this latest rotation, USS Cole (DDG-67) departed Mayport, Florida, last Thursday to relieve USS Gravely (DDG-107), which is returning to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. USS Cole is the second vessel this week to head to the southern border to replace units completing their missions under USNORTHCOM. It should be noted that this deployment will fall under the command of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and the Fourth Fleet.
Lastly, in a parallel deployment, USS Sampson (DDG-102) also departed San Diego on June 3 to support USNORTHCOM’s mission, replacing the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). In addition to the ships, P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, provided support to the Gravely and its LEDET. The deployment also included the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74.
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The Gravely was operating in the area beginning on March 15th, not May 15th.