9,700-ton US guided-missile destroyer enters Spanish shipyard for modernization

The U.S. Navy’s USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), a guided-missile destroyer weighing about 9,700 long tons, entered dry dock at Navantia’s shipyard in Cádiz, Spain, on October 7 for planned maintenance and modernization. The work marks a step toward expanding the Navy’s ability to service its forward-deployed warships in Europe.

The Navy said this was the first dry docking of its kind in the U.S. 6th Fleet’s operating area since Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe destroyers arrived in the region. Carrying out the work in Spain is expected to improve the ship’s readiness and availability for future operations.

“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 of U.S. 6th Fleet. “By integrating dry docking into planned maintenance periods overseas, the Navy is increasing material readiness for our forward-deployed warships.”

Maintenance teams prepare destroyer for future missions

Military and civilian personnel from the Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center are working alongside the ship’s crew and Navantia staff. The teams are conducting the scheduled maintenance and modernization during the ship’s time in dry dock.

The work supports the Navy’s efforts to maintain warships closer to their deployment areas. Access to local shipyard facilities can help reduce the need to send vessels elsewhere for major maintenance, supporting their availability for operations in European waters.

Five destroyers operate from Spanish naval base

USS Arleigh Burke is one of five forward-deployed destroyers stationed at Naval Station Rota in Spain. It operates under Commander, Task Force 65, supporting NATO’s integrated air and missile defense architecture.

In April 2021, the destroyer moved its homeport from Norfolk, Virginia, to Rota after nearly 30 years in Norfolk. It joined Destroyer Squadron 60 of the 6th Fleet.

These forward-deployed warships operate across Europe and Africa, ranging from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle. Their duties include supporting maritime security and regional stability while contributing to US and NATO missions.

Destroyer has served the Navy since 1991

USS Arleigh Burke is the lead ship of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. Bath Iron Works laid its keel in Bath, Maine, on December 6, 1988. The ship was launched on September 16, 1989, by Roberta Gorsuch Burke, wife of Adm. Arleigh A. Burke.

Both attended the ship’s commissioning in Norfolk on July 4, 1991. During the ceremony, the admiral told the crew, “This ship was built to fight. You better know how!”

The vessel is named after the admiral, who served during World War II and the Korean War before becoming chief of naval operations under Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.

Its honors include three Navy Unit Commendations, three Meritorious Unit Commendations and eight Battle Efficiency Awards. The destroyer has also received the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal, along with 13 Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and one Overseas Service Ribbon.

The U.S. 6th Fleet operates under U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy. It oversees U.S. naval forces across the European Command and Africa Command areas of responsibility.

Source: https://interestingengineering.com/military/uss-arleigh-burke-destroyer-spain