The Fitzgerald’s lengthy deployment covered much of the world, including the Americas, the Persian Gulf, and East Asia.

A US Navy warship returned to port after a seven-month deployment in three different areas of operation.  

The USS Fitzgerald, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, returned to its homeport in Naval Base San Diego on Tuesday.  

The warship operated in the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleet areas of operation, showcasing the crew’s high level of training and the warship’s global capabilities.  

The USS Fitzgerald’s Long Deployment  

During its long deployment, the USS Fitzgerald conducted a wide range of missions, including maritime security and deterrence operations.  

The USS Fitzgerald also participated in multiple multinational exercises with friendly naval forces, including MALABAR 2025 and SWARMEX 2025. In total, the guided-missile destroyer worked with the Australian, Bangladeshi, German, Indian, Japanese, Pakistani, Philippine, South Korean, and United Arab Emirates navies. It sailed both in the Persian Gulf, completing six transits of the volatile Strait of Hormuz, as well as operated in the Indo-Pacific area of operations.  

“I am truly proud of the hard work and dedication this crew has displayed daily throughout this seven month deployment,” Navy Commander Paul F. Richardson III, the commanding officer of the USS Fitzgerald, said in a service press release.  

The US Navy has multiple warships underway on any single day. Although the United States might not be engaged in active operations against an adversary, these warship deployments ensure that if the need arises, there are always naval assets ready to respond.  

There is also a second reason for these deployments. US warships’ presence around the world reassures allies and partners, while also acting as a deterrence against malicious activities. For example, US warships sailing in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait physically contest China’s claim of sovereignty in the area, conveying a signal to Taipei—and a warning to Beijing—that the United States supports Taiwan.

“Their resilience and professionalism enabled us to successfully execute every mission we were tasked with in multiple areas of operation. We are all excited to be home and reunited with our families and loved ones, whose unwavering support made this possible,” Richardson added.  

In 2017, the USS Fitzgerald survived a major collision with a merchant vessel near Japan. Seven sailors were killed, and several others were injured. The incident put the destroyer out of action for several years. The estimated cost for the repairs reached almost $400 million. 

The Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer Is the Backbone of the US Navy

• Year Introduced: 1991
• Number Built: 74
• Length: 505-510 ft, depending on variant
• Beam (Width): 66 ft
• Displacement: 9,000 tons
• Engines: Four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines (26,250 bhp each)
• Top Speed: ~30 knots (35 mph)
• Range: ~4,400 nmi (5,100 mi)
• Armaments: 5-inch Mk 45 gun; Harpoon anti-ship missiles; Aegis Combat System; Mk 45 or 46 torpedoes; Tomahawk cruise missiles (96 VLS cells)
• Crew: 303-323, depending on variant

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers form the cornerstone of the Navy’s surface combatant fleet and are true Swiss army knives when it comes to utility. For example, they carry sensors and weapon systems to conduct anti-surface warfare against other surface combatants and merchant vessels, anti-submarine warfare against enemy submarines, air-defense operations, and land-attack operations.  

Depending on the version of the destroyer (there are four variants), a ship of the class can carry Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, RM-66/156/161/162/174 air defense missiles, Mk 84 heavy torpedoes, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Each destroyer carries at least one MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter for anti-submarine warfare.  

In the event of a near-peer conflict with China, Arleigh Burke-destroyers like the USS Fitzgerald will play an important role in containing and defeating the Chinese Navy.  

About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou  

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.   

Image: Shutterstock / viper-zero.

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