CADIZ, Spain — Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) entered dry dock at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, Oct. 7, marking the first such evolution in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations since the arrival of Forward Deployed Naval Forces – Europe (FDNF-E) destroyers.

Facilitating this work locally maximizes operational readiness and availability, and expands forward-deployed maintenance capability.

“The dry docking of Arleigh Burke is a major milestone in expanding U.S. Navy forward-deployed maintenance capabilities in Europe,” said Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. “By integrating dry docking into planned maintenance periods overseas, the Navy is increasing material readiness for our forward-deployed warships.”

Throughout the availability, Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center U.S. military and civilian maintenance personnel and ship’s crew are working alongside industry partners at Navantia to execute planned maintenance and modernization.

Arleigh Burke is one of five FDNF-E destroyers stationed onboard Naval Station Rota and assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 as part of the U.S. Navy’s support to NATO’s integrated air missile defense architecture. FDNF-E ships demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s flexibility to operate throughout Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, supporting security and stability in the maritime domain.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility. U.S. 6th Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEURAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

By U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs and Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center Public Affairs, Oct. 8, 2026