The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) is scheduled to depart San Diego Oct. 2 for Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will join U.S. 7th Fleet’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces.
Benfold will enhance presence in 7th Fleet as part of the U.S. Navy’s long-range plan to send the most advanced and capable units to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, while adding to the Ballistic Missile Defense capable ships in the area of operations. The security environment in the Indo-Asia-Pacific requires that the U.S. Navy station the most capable ships forward.
Future missions will include maritime security operations and cooperative training exercises with allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
This ship, along with her counterparts in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, makes up part of the core capabilities needed by the alliance to meet common strategic objectives.
U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line.
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Image: US Navy