Destroyers Thomas Hudner, Pinckney Return from Deployments
Destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) and USS Pinckney (DDG-91) returned this week to their homeports following more than eight-month-long deployments, the U.S. Navy announced. Thomas Hudner returned Sunday to Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The destroyer’s deployment took the crew to the U.S. 4th, 5th and 6th fleets – seeing it sail the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Red seas. The destroyer left on Dec. 1 for the U.S. 4th Fleet, USNI News previously reported. As of Feb. 23, five days before the U.S. and Israel launched an offensive against Iran, Thomas Hudner was in the Mediterranean. On April 6, Thomas Hudner was
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG-91) returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 9, 2026. US Navy photo Destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) and USS Pinckney (DDG-91) returned this week to their homeports following more than eight-month-long deployments, the U.S. Navy announced.
Thomas Hudner returned Sunday to Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The destroyer’s deployment took the crew to the U.S. 4th, 5th and 6th fleets – seeing it sail the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Red seas.
The destroyer left on Dec. 1 for the U.S. 4th Fleet, USNI News previously reported. As of Feb. 23, five days before the U.S. and Israel launched an offensive against Iran, Thomas Hudner was in the Mediterranean. On April 6, Thomas Hudner was operating in the Red Sea, where it remained until at least July 13 when the destroyer began the long journey back to the east coast of the U.S.
Sailors man the rails as Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) returns to Naval Station Mayport Aug. 9, 2026. US Navy photo “Over the past almost nine months, this crew has demonstrated exceptional resilience and tactical proficiency across three different fleets,” Cmdr. David Cook, commanding officer Thomas Hudner, said in a Navy news release. “Their dedication is unmatched, and we are absolutely thrilled to be back in Mayport to reunite with the families and loved ones whose unwavering support made our success possible.”
Pinckney also returned Sunday to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego, Calif., having departed Nov. 25. Pinckney’s deployment took the destroyer to the Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions.
A sailor assigned to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) embraces family at Naval Station Mayport Aug. 9, 2026. US Navy photo Pinckney was in the Arabian Sea as of Feb. 23 in the lead up to the U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran. Pinckney operated in the Middle East until June 22, at which point the destroyer was in the Philippine Sea. Pinckney was in the Philippine Sea until at least July 13, according to the USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker.
During the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Middle East, Pinckney and its embarked air wing detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37 conducted maritime interdictions on 11 commercial vessels, according to a Navy news release.
Families await the arrival of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG-91) as it returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 9, 2026. US Navy photo “Pinckney’s Firewalkers answered every mission with professionalism, resilience and unwavering commitment,” Cmdr. Timothy DeVall, commanding officer of Pinckney, said in the news release. “Whether operating in the Indo-Pacific or supporting combat operations in the Middle East, our sailors consistently demonstrated the readiness and adaptability required to execute our mission. I couldn’t be prouder of what this team accomplished.”
Pinckney is the first destroyer to deploy with the Northrop Grumman-built AN/SLQ-32(V)7 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program Block III, or SEWIP Block III.
The destroyer was the first of a quartet of Navy destroyers to undergo a major upgrade to its electronic warfare capabilities, USNI News previously reported. Standing two decks high, the sponsons were added to the superstructure of Pinckney during a $121 million maintenance availability that also upgraded the ship’s combat system and included a hull, mechanical and engineering refresh.
