In a strategic shift, the USS Gravely transitions from combating Houthi forces in the Red Sea to addressing maritime security concerns along the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to Fox News, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer departed from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in Virginia over the weekend, marking a significant expansion of naval capabilities in support of President Donald Trump's border security executive orders.
The Pentagon's deployment of USS Gravely underscores a comprehensive approach to border security, combining maritime surveillance with existing land-based operations. The vessel's primary mission involves intercepting drug smugglers at sea and preventing illegal maritime immigration along the southern border.
The deployment reflects growing concerns about increased maritime migration routes as enhanced land border security measures push smugglers toward ocean passages. Recent data from the San Diego coast reveals approximately 200 migrant boat encounters within a 90-day period, highlighting the urgent need for naval reinforcement.
Coast Guard District 11 Captain Jason Hagen emphasized the changing dynamics of border crossings. The strengthened land border security has led to a significant reduction in daily crossings, forcing smugglers to adapt their operations to maritime routes.
The naval presence aims to address emerging national security concerns, particularly the diverse origins of individuals attempting maritime border crossings. Officials have documented encounters with nationals from various countries, including China, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan.
Gen. Gregory Guillot of U.S. Northern Command highlighted the significance of the deployment, stating:
Gravely's sea-going capacity improves our ability to protect the United States' territorial integrity, sovereignty, and security.
The Pentagon's chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, emphasized the dual importance of land and maritime border control. He stressed that maintaining sovereignty over territorial waters is equally crucial as securing land borders.
The USS Gravely brings substantial combat experience to its new role, having previously served in the Red Sea where it successfully intercepted missiles launched by Iranian-backed Houthi forces against commercial vessels.
Navy officials outlined the deployment's broader objectives, which include combating maritime terrorism, preventing weapons proliferation, and addressing transnational crime. The mission also encompasses efforts to counter piracy, environmental destruction, and illegal seaborne immigration.
The vessel's capabilities will enhance existing maritime efforts and address critical capability gaps in support of the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection operations. This coordination demonstrates the administration's whole-of-government approach to border security.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Joint Staff director for operations, confirmed that the USS Gravely will operate in the Gulf of America, focusing on maritime drug interdiction missions.
The USS Gravely, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has been deployed from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown to support President Trump's border security initiatives along the U.S.-Mexico maritime border. This strategic deployment aims to counter the increasing challenges of maritime drug smuggling and illegal immigration by sea while complementing existing land-based border security operations. The vessel will operate in the Gulf of America, bringing its advanced capabilities and recent combat experience from the Red Sea to enhance territorial water protection and support multi-agency border security efforts.
