The Navy said it was the first such docking in the 6th Fleet’s operating area since the arrival of Forward Deployed Naval Forces–Europe destroyers. Performing the work locally is intended to improve operational readiness and ship availability.
“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.”
Military and civilian personnel from the Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center are working alongside the ship’s crew and Navantia personnel. They are carrying out the scheduled maintenance and modernization throughout the availability.
Supporting NATO missions from Spain
Arleigh Burke is one of five forward-deployed destroyers stationed at Naval Station Rota, Spain. It is assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 in support of NATO’s integrated air and missile defense architecture.
The ship moved its homeport from Norfolk, Virginia, to Rota in April 2021 after nearly 30 years in Norfolk. It joined the 6th Fleet’s Destroyer Squadron 60.
The forward-deployed destroyers operate across Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle. Their missions support maritime security and stability.
Lead ship of the Arleigh Burke class
Commissioned in Norfolk on July 4, 1991, USS Arleigh Burke is the lead ship of its guided-missile destroyer class. 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 its commissioning, where the admiral told the crew: “This ship was built to fight. You better know how!”
The destroyer is named after Burke, who distinguished himself during World War II and the Korean War. He later served as chief of naval operations during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations.
The ship’s awards include three Navy Unit Commendations, three Meritorious Unit Commendations and eight Battle Efficiency Awards. It has also received the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, 13 Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and one Overseas Service Ribbon.
U.S. 6th Fleet is permanently assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy. The command operates U.S. naval forces in the European Command and Africa Command areas of responsibility.
