Latest news with #DestroyerSquadron15
Newsweek
6 days ago
- General
- Newsweek
US Warship Provided 'Critical Defense' of Strategic Island Base: Navy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States warship, based in the Western Pacific, recently provided critical defense for America's strategic military outpost at Diego Garcia, a remote island in the Indian Ocean. The destroyer USS Ralph Johnson is assigned to the Seventh Fleet's Destroyer Squadron 15, a U.S. Navy surface force forward deployed in Japan. "We won't speak to the details of specific missions for operations security purposes," the Seventh Fleet told Newsweek when asked for comment. Why It Matters Diego Garcia—a tiny British Indian Ocean Territory island that hosts a U.S. military base—received far more attention than usual earlier this year following tensions between the U.S. and Iran, during which the Pentagon deployed as many as six B-2 stealth bombers there. As part of the broader U.S. reinforcement of its force posture in the Middle East, the Ralph Johnson and its sister ship, USS Milius—also assigned to the Destroyer Squadron 15—operated in the Indian Ocean and made port calls at Diego Garcia, Newsweek previously reported. The Seventh Fleet—which manages U.S. naval operations across the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans—told Newsweek that both Japan-homeported warships are designed for anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare missions, as well as ballistic missile defense. What To Know The Ralph Johnson, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, completed a seven-month deployment and returned to its home port at the Yokosuka naval base—located near Tokyo, Japan—on July 31, Destroyer Squadron 15 announced in a set of photos released the following day. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ralph Johnson returns to Yokosuka, Japan, on July 31, 2025. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ralph Johnson returns to Yokosuka, Japan, on July 31, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Taylor DiMartino/U.S. Navy The warship conducted patrols in the Seventh Fleet's area of responsibility and "critical defense of U.S. strategic locations in the Indian Ocean" during its deployment, according to a photo caption that did not specifically mention Diego Garcia. The Ralph Johnson was seen departing the island on July 13, following "a scheduled port visit." The military base "enables our forward deployed forces to conduct operations in support of regional stability and provide a rapid response to crises," the Seventh Fleet said. The Milius—which made its last stopover at Diego Garcia on July 21—was spotted anchoring off Yokosuka on Monday but appeared to set sail again without entering its home port for unknown reasons, according to photos shared by a local ship spotter. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Milius arrives in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, on July 21, 2025. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Milius arrives in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, on July 21, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson/U.S. Navy A third warship from Destroyer Squadron 15, USS John Finn, also made a port visit to Diego Garcia on July 16 and arrived at Sembawang naval base in Singapore on Monday. According to its official Facebook page, the warship commenced patrols as of July 31. The Seventh Fleet told Newsweek that it operates daily to protect the security, freedom, and prosperity of the U.S., its allies, and partners, ensuring maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. What People Are Saying The U.S. Seventh Fleet told Newsweek: "The Indo-Pacific region stretches from the U.S. Pacific Coastline to the Indian Ocean. As forward deployed naval forces, the U.S. [Seventh] Fleet operates forward to strengthen peace, stability and deterrence across the Indo-Pacific, and we will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows." U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia said on its website: "Diego Garcia consists of United States Navy and Air Force personnel assigned here to carry out the Island's mission: To maintain and operate facilities and provide services and materials in support of afloat units, operating forces on forward deployment, and tenant shore activities." What Happens Next Whether the Pentagon will maintain a strong military presence on Diego Garcia remains uncertain, as tensions between the U.S. and Iran have eased following American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran's missile strikes on a U.S. base in Qatar in June.
Miami Herald
05-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
US Redeploys Pacific Warship As Iran Threat Grows
A United States destroyer, USS Milius, which is based in the Western Pacific Ocean, is now operating in Middle Eastern waters as part of the American military presence aimed at Iran. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, which oversee military operations in the Middle East, for comment by email. "The U.S. Navy is a professional maritime force, focused on ensuring that we maintain the capabilities to deter, defend against, and, if necessary, defeat aggression," the U.S. Seventh Fleet, which operates in the Western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, told Newsweek. Newsweek previously reported that the Milius and its sister ship, USS Ralph Johnson, which are assigned to the Destroyer Squadron 15, have been operating in the Indian Ocean over the past month. The squadron is the Japan-headquartered Seventh Fleet's principal surface force. The Pentagon is reinforcing its force posture in the Middle East amid continued tensions with Iran over the nuclear talks, as well as the attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Several American warships operating in the Western Pacific Ocean were re-tasked earlier to the Middle East, including a naval strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. An official released photo reveals that the Milius shifted its operating area to the Central Command's area of responsibility on April 25. The destroyer, which is homeported in Japan and joined the Destroyer Squadron 15 in 2018, was still in the Indian Ocean the day before. While another official photo, which was taken on April 24, mentioned the Milius was part of the Destroyer Squadron 15, the warship is now operating as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. Satellite imagery captured the aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on April 24. The Milius, which is one of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, provides what the U.S. Navy called "multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities." This class of multi-mission surface combatant is capable of operating independently or as part of a carrier strike group. In addition to the Milius, USS Wayne E. Meyer, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that was initially assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group for a deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean, has been operating with the Carl Vinson in the Middle East since at least April 13. Apart from the Milius and the Wayne E. Meyer, three other warships were assigned to the Carl Vinson; the cruiser USS Princeton, as well as a pair of destroyers, USS Sterett and USS William P. Lawrence, the U.S. Naval Institute News reported on April 28. The U.S. Seventh Fleet told Newsweek: "The U.S. [Seventh] Fleet operates its forces from the Western Pacific to the Indian Ocean, promoting regional stability and maritime security in support of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific." The U.S. Central Command said: "Crews embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) resupply at sea and operate 24/7, targeting Iran-backed Houthi terrorists within Houthi controlled areas of Yemen." The Harry S. Truman is the second U.S. aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East. It remains to be seen whether the Ralph Johnson will become the next Japan-based U.S. warship to join the combat operations in the Middle East or remain in the Indian Ocean. Related Articles Houthis Warn Global Airlines After Missile AttackU.S. War on the Houthis: Five Things to WatchUS and Allied Drills Counter China's Island-Taking TacticsFour Signs Russia Could Be Preparing for War With NATO 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
05-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
US Redeploys Pacific Warship As Iran Threat Grows
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States destroyer, USS Milius, which is based in the Western Pacific Ocean, is now operating in Middle Eastern waters as part of the American military presence aimed at Iran. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, which oversee military operations in the Middle East, for comment by email. "The U.S. Navy is a professional maritime force, focused on ensuring that we maintain the capabilities to deter, defend against, and, if necessary, defeat aggression," the U.S. Seventh Fleet, which operates in the Western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, told Newsweek. The United States Navy destroyer USS "Milius," right, pulls alongside the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS "Amelia Earhart" for an underway replenishment in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility in the Middle East... The United States Navy destroyer USS "Milius," right, pulls alongside the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS "Amelia Earhart" for an underway replenishment in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility in the Middle East on April 27, 2025. More U.S. Navy Why It Matters Newsweek previously reported that the Milius and its sister ship, USS Ralph Johnson, which are assigned to the Destroyer Squadron 15, have been operating in the Indian Ocean over the past month. The squadron is the Japan-headquartered Seventh Fleet's principal surface force. The Pentagon is reinforcing its force posture in the Middle East amid continued tensions with Iran over the nuclear talks, as well as the attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Several American warships operating in the Western Pacific Ocean were re-tasked earlier to the Middle East, including a naval strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. What To Know An official released photo reveals that the Milius shifted its operating area to the Central Command's area of responsibility on April 25. The destroyer, which is homeported in Japan and joined the Destroyer Squadron 15 in 2018, was still in the Indian Ocean the day before. While another official photo, which was taken on April 24, mentioned the Milius was part of the Destroyer Squadron 15, the warship is now operating as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. Satellite imagery captured the aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on April 24. 🇺🇸Carrier Strike Group 8 & 1🇺🇸 CSG 8 (Truman) & CSG 1 (Vinson) continue operations in @CENTCOM area of responsibility Red Sea (23 Apr): CVN-75, 3x Arleigh Burke, 1x Ticonderoga Arabian Sea (24 Apr): CVN-70, 1x Arleigh Burke, 1x Ticonderoga@Schizointel — MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) April 24, 2025 The Milius, which is one of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, provides what the U.S. Navy called "multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities." This class of multi-mission surface combatant is capable of operating independently or as part of a carrier strike group. In addition to the Milius, USS Wayne E. Meyer, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that was initially assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group for a deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean, has been operating with the Carl Vinson in the Middle East since at least April 13. Apart from the Milius and the Wayne E. Meyer, three other warships were assigned to the Carl Vinson; the cruiser USS Princeton, as well as a pair of destroyers, USS Sterett and USS William P. Lawrence, the U.S. Naval Institute News reported on April 28. An F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS "Carl Vinson" in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility in the Middle East on April 30, 2025. An F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS "Carl Vinson" in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility in the Middle East on April 30, 2025. U.S. Navy What People Are Saying The U.S. Seventh Fleet told Newsweek: "The U.S. [Seventh] Fleet operates its forces from the Western Pacific to the Indian Ocean, promoting regional stability and maritime security in support of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific." The U.S. Central Command said: "Crews embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) resupply at sea and operate 24/7, targeting Iran-backed Houthi terrorists within Houthi controlled areas of Yemen." The Harry S. Truman is the second U.S. aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East. What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Ralph Johnson will become the next Japan-based U.S. warship to join the combat operations in the Middle East or remain in the Indian Ocean.
