Watchkeeping

Destroyer USS Thomas Hudner arrives in U.S. Southern Command

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) departed Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for a scheduled deployment, Dec. 1, 2025. US Navy picture

USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) chopped into U.S. Southern Command throughout the final 24 hours, USNI Information has discovered.

A Navy official confirmed Thursday that Thomas Hudner has joined the Navy’s buildup of ships in SOUTHCOM. Additionally within the area are the Iwo Jima Amphibious Prepared Group — USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28) and USS San Antonio (LPD-17) — cruisers USS Lake Erie (CG-70) and USS Gettysburg (CG-64) and the ships of the Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group — USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81), USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) and USS Mahan (DDG-72).

Thomas Hudner departed Monday from Mayport, Fla., for a scheduled deployment, based on a Navy launch.

“The sailors onboard Thomas Hudner are proud, skilled and fight examined,” Cmdr. David Prepare dinner, the destroyer’s commanding officer, mentioned within the launch. “Thomas Hudner is fight prepared, and our crew is poised to execute the nation’s tasking.”

This would be the second journey this 12 months to SOUTHCOM for Thomas Hudner, which has been independently deploying since returning in January 2024 from an eight-month deployment as a part of the Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group. Whereas on its Gerald R. Ford CSG deployment, Thomas Hudner was a part of the primary destroyers to shoot down Houthi missiles and drones being launched at business transport.

In February 2025, the Navy despatched Thomas Hudner to SOUTHCOM to assist Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

After finishing workout routines and freedom of navigation operations in SOUTHCOM, Thomas Hudner sailed in U.S. Six Fleet’s space of response. In June, Thomas Hudner was one among 5 U.S. ballistic missile destroyers within the Mediterranean, USNI Information beforehand reported.

Thomas Hudner returned dwelling in July, based on the Navy.


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Ryan

Ryan O'Neill is a maritime enthusiast and writer who has a passion for studying and writing about ships and the maritime industry in general. With a deep passion for the sea and all things nautical, Ryan has a plan to unite maritime professionals to share their knowledge and truly connect Sea 2 Shore.

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