From Navy Office of Information, June 16, 2026
NORFOLK, Virginia – Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) returned to Naval Station NorfolkJune16, concluding an 11-monthdeployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations.
The warship, assigned to Destroyer Squadron Two, departed Naval Station Norfolk for a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility, July 25, 2025. Mitscher conducted their pre-deployment certification as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group but deployed independently to U.S. 5th and 6th Fleets areas of operations.
“Team Mitscher continues to take great pride in service to our nation,” stated Cmdr. Stephen Prugh, commanding officer, USS Mitscher. “This team has worked tirelessly over the last11monthsoperatingthroughout the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations as an independent deployer and integrating with the Gerald R. Ford, Abraham Lincoln, and UK Prince of Wales Strike Groups. I’m impressed with the crew’s resilience, perseverance, and grit. I could not be prouder of their accomplishments at sea. Seize the Day!”
Equipped with the Aegis combat system, Mitscher provides multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities to conduct anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defense.
Commissioned on Dec. 10,1994, USS Mitscher is the second U.S. Navy warship named to honor Admiral Marc A. Mitscher (1887-1947), famed naval aviator and World War II aircraft carrier task group commander.
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