Navy
USS Stockdale deploys to the southern border
Stars and Stripes
April 13, 2025
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) pulls into its homeport at Naval Base San Diego, Feb. 21, 2025. (Kristine Joy Nool/U.S. Navy)
Another Navy destroyer has been deployed to support security operations at the southern border.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale departed Naval Base San Diego on Friday as part of U.S. Northern Command’s mission to help deter illegal crossings and drug trafficking, the service said in a news release.
Stockdale takes over duties previously carried out by destroyer USS Spruance, which deployed to the border March 22. USS Gravely, another guided-missile destroyer, deployed March 15.
Stockdale has deployed with an embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), which brings specialized expertise in maritime interdiction to help address a range of challenges, from countering illegal activities to supporting humanitarian efforts and homeland security operations.
Stockdale recently returned from a seven-month deployment, that included combating Houthi attacks in the Middle East as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. Stockdale successfully repelled multiple Iranian-backed Houthi attacks during transits of the Bab el-Mandeb strait and escort operations of U.S.-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Aden. Stockdale engaged and defeated one-way attack uncrewed aerial-ship cruise missiles. Stockdale received no damage and no personnel were hurt.
Stockdale was recognized as Destroyer Squadron 21’s recipient of the 2024 Battle Effectiveness Award, and sailors were awarded the combat action ribbon for their actions in the Middle East.