New US Warship Deploys in Support of Border Security Operations

Destroyer USS Stockdale will take over from USS Spruance, which began supporting border security efforts in March.

The US Navy dispatched warships on April 11 to support the ongoing US border security operations.

Guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale left Naval Base San Diego on Friday and received an order to support multi-agency efforts along the US-Mexico border.

“The Stockdale departure strengthens the role of the Navy in the Department of Defense’s coordinated efforts in response to executive orders,” Navy Fleet Forces Command said in a statement announcing the deployment.

With the US Coast Guard law enforcement separation aboard the destroyer, the ship is ready to support a variety of missions, including maritime engagements and humanitarian operations.

Stockdale is taking over responsibility for the destroyer USS Spruance, which was deployed from San Diego on March 22nd.

The warship issued a memorandum of understanding that President Donald Trump asserted control of areas along the US southern border, allowing US forces to better detect and prevent human smuggling and drug trafficking across borders.

“Our southern borders are under attack from various threats. The complexity of the current situation calls for our troops to play a more direct role in securing a southern border than in recent past,” Trump wrote in a memo from Homeland Security Secretary Christie Nomm, Secretary of Homeland, Doug Burgham, and Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins.

Trump’s memo, along with detection and surveillance equipment, designates federal land where the military can claim control to facilitate the installation of new border barriers.

Since taking office in January, Trump has boosted the overall military footprint along the US-Mexico border.

When Trump returned to the White House, approximately 2,500 US troops were allocated to support federal border security efforts. As of last month, around 9,600 servicemen had been allocated to support federal border security services.

Prior to this deployment, Stockdale was taking part in a seven-month independent deployment across the Pacific Ocean, spanning the operating areas of the US 3rd and 7th Fleets.

As Stockdale’s recent deployment progressed, the destroyers deployed in the operational area of the US Fifth Fleet in the Middle East, combining with the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and assisting them in attacking the rebels in Hauch, Yemen. The warships also carried out escort operations to protect US-level ships in the Gulf of Aden.

Stockdale concluded his seven-month mission tour and returned to homeport in San Diego in February.

Bilpan contributed to this report.