Overview
- The USS Spruance, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, departed San Diego on March 22, 2025, to patrol the West Coast as part of U.S. border security operations.
- This deployment complements the USS Gravely, which has been stationed in the Gulf of Mexico since March 15, 2025, targeting drug smuggling and illegal immigration.
- Both destroyers carry U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) to enhance maritime interdiction capabilities against smuggling and other illegal activities.
- The initiative reflects a strategic shift toward addressing maritime smuggling routes as criminal organizations adapt to stricter land border controls.
- The USS Spruance previously served in the Middle East, providing advanced operational capabilities now repurposed for securing U.S. territorial waters.