The Navy recently deployed the USS Stockdale, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, to support U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) southern border operations, in accordance with President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders. The ship successfully repelled multiple Iranian-backed Houthi attacks during its deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleet areas of operation in February. Stockdale returned to San Diego after a seven-month independent deployment and joined the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the 5th Fleet. During its time in the 5th Fleet, the ship engaged and defeated one-way attack uncrewed aerial-ship cruise missiles and escorted U.S.-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Aden. Stockdale sustained no damage during these encounters and its personnel were uninjured.
President Trump’s executive orders included a national emergency declaration and clarification of the military’s role in protecting the territorial integrity of the U.S. The deployment of the USS Stockdale to the southern border is part of the Department of Defense’s coordinated efforts to comply with these orders. The ship will continue operations with an embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment to support critical Department of Homeland Security capabilities gaps. In addition to Stockdale, the USS Spruance and USS Gravely, two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, were sent to the border in March to assist in border enforcement efforts.
The Navy’s deployment of the USS Stockdale is seen as a vital contribution to border enforcement efforts by USNORTHCOM. The ship’s successful repulsion of Iranian-backed Houthi attacks and engagement with hostile threats during its previous deployment demonstrate its readiness for the mission at the southern border. The use of military force, including warships, for border enforcement has been described as a ‘smart’ use of resources by experts. The coordinated efforts between the Navy, Coast Guard, and other branches of the military highlight the importance of securing the U.S. southern border and protecting against threats such as illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
The USS Stockdale’s current mission at the southern border is in line with President Trump’s executive orders aimed at enhancing border security and protecting national interests. The Navy’s role in this mission is part of the larger strategy to support Department of Homeland Security capabilities and address critical gaps in border enforcement. The successful deployment of the USS Stockdale to the 5th Fleet and its engagement with hostile threats in the Gulf of Aden exemplify its readiness for border security operations. The addition of the Stockdale to the efforts already underway by the Navy and Coast Guard reinforces the commitment to securing the southern border and protecting against external threats.
The Department of Defense’s lead for implementing border-related executive orders, USNORTHCOM, continues to prioritize support for Department of Homeland Security initiatives with the deployment of the USS Stockdale. The ship’s role in defending against threats such as illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and potential security breaches demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to upholding national security interests. The coordinated efforts between the Navy and other branches of the military, as well as the inclusion of U.S. Coast Guard assets, highlight the comprehensive approach to securing the U.S. southern border. The deployment of the USS Stockdale represents a significant step in enhancing border enforcement capabilities and protecting against threats to the nation’s territorial integrity.
