Caitlyn Burchett-June 17, 2026 3:47 PM
Destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG-57) returned Tuesday to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., following a historic 11-month deployment.
During Mitscher’s 327-day deployment, the destroyer integrated with the Gerald R. Ford and Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups, as well as the U.K. Prince of Wales strike group, in U.S. 5th and 6th fleets. Mitscher conducted its pre-deployment certification with the Ford CSG but departed on July 25, 2025, as an independent deployer.
Equipped with the Aegis combat system, Mitscher was capable of providing multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities to conduct anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and ballistic missile defense, the U.S. Navy news release reads.
Mitscher’s deployment rivals that of the Ford CSG, a record-breaking 326-day deployment for flagship USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). Ford’s deployment was the longest one for a carrier since the last days of the Vietnam War, USNI News previously reported.
In U.S. 5th Fleet, Mitscher was part of a naval build up in the Middle East as the U.S. and Israel clashed with Iran. The U.S. Operation Epic Fury and Israeli Operation Raging Lion, which launched Feb. 28, struck at Iranian leadership and military targets across the country, launching from both sea and land airbases. Tehran conducted retaliatory strikes against U.S. and Israeli targets in the UAE, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar.
Following the U.S.-Israeli offensive, Iran attempted to take control of the Strait of Hormuz, targeting commercial ships transiting the strait and creating a “Tehran tollbooth” to charge ships to pass. The U.S. then issued a naval blockade on ships traveling to and from Iranian ports. The blockade will remain in effect until Friday, when representatives from the U.S. and Iran are expected to sign an agreement to end hostilities between the two countries, USNI News reported.
The Abraham Lincoln CSG, George H.W. Bush CSG and the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, as well as at least 10 independently deployed warships, remain in the Arabian Sea as of Monday, according to the USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker.
Caitlyn Burchett
Caitlyn Burchett is the managing editor of USNI News. She previously covered the Navy and Marine Corps for Stars and Stripes and regional defense news for The Virginian-Pilot. Follow @CaitlynBurchett