In February 2013, the "Mitscher" entered the BAE Systems facility at Norfolk, Virginia, for a six-month dry-docked overhaul.
(meta data) TITLE: USS Mitscher (DDG 57) history USS MITSCHER DDG 57 U.S. Carriers | Decommissioned | Links | Info | History The Mitscher (DDG 57) is the second U.S. Navy warship named after Admiral Marc A. Mitscher (1887-1947), famed naval aviator and World War II aircraft carrier task group commander. In 1988 the U.S. Navy contracted with Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to build the seventh ship of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. December 1, 1994 The Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) Mitscher departed Pascagoula, Miss., crewed and manned by its "plankowner" sailors, for the first time. December 3, The guided-missile destroyer departed Naval Station Pascagoula after a brief port call for a Tiger Cruise to downtown Pensacola, Fla. December 10, USS Mitscher was commissioned during a ceremony at Pensacola, Florida. Mrs. Elizabeth Ferguson, Adm. Mitscher's niece, served as sponsor of the ship. Cmdr. Roy. J. Balaconis is the first commanding officer. December 13, DDG 57 departed Pensacola for a transit to Norfolk, Virginia; Port call to Port Canaveral, Fla., from Dec. 15-17. December 18, USS Mitscher arrived at its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk. January 9, 1995 The Mitscher underway as Plane Guard for USS America (CV 66), during carrier landing qualifications, in the Jacksonville Op. Area; Port visit to Key West, Fla., from Jan. 18-19. January 23, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C., for ammunition onload; Port call to Nassau, Bahamas, from Jan. 26-30; Returned home on Feb. 3. February 25, USS Mitscher pulled into Port Canaveral, Fla., fora four-day port call. March 9, The Mitscher pulled into Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, for a four-day visit after participating in Combat Systems Ship's Qualifications Trials (CSSQT), at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC). March 18, DDG 57 arrived in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, for a two-day visit to Netherlands Antilles. March 26, The Mitscher arrived again at NS Roosevelt Roads for a four-day port call after Naval Gun Fire Support (NGFS) qualification in the Puerto Rican OPAREA. April 5, USS Mitscher returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-week underway period. April 15, The Mitscher arrived in Boston, Mass., for a two-day port visit to participate in Patriot Days celebration; Underway for final contract trials from April 25-26. June 9, The guided-missile destroyer moored to Nauticus Pier in downtown Norfolk for a three-day visit; Ammo offload at NWS Yorktown from June 12-13; Underway for Tiger Cruise on June 14; Port visit to Nassau, Bahamas, from June 17-20; Port call to Pensacola, Fla., from June 23-25. June 25, USS Mitscher entered the Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA); In dry-dock from Aug. 11-29; Underway for sea trials from Sept. 26-27; Returned to Norfolk on Oct. 7. "Open House" at Nauticus from Oct. 12-16. October 23, The Mitscher arrived at Craney Island, Va., for a four-day magnetic deperming; Underway for Combat system LTT on Nov. 1; Port calls to Roosevelt Roads (Nov. 4-6); St. Maarten (Nov. 11-15); and St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles, (Nov. 15-17); Returned home on Nov. 19; Underway for TSTA III/ITT from Dec. 11-15. From February 20 through March 21, 1996, USS Mitscher was underway for a Comprehensive Training Unit Exericse (COMPTUEX), in the Puerto Rican Operating Area; Port visit to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, from March 1-5; Underway for COMPTUEX Phase II from March 25- April 1, in the Cherry Point OPAREA; Underway for CJTFEX 96-2 from April 26- May 16. May 3, Cmdr. Raymond A. Spicer relieved Cmdr. Roy. J. Balaconis as CO of DDG 57. June 28, USS Mitscher departed Norfolk for its maiden Mediterranean deployment, as part of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Battle Group. July 13, The Mitscher arrived in Barcelona, Spain, for a six-day port visit; Port call to Haifa, Israel, from July 25-29; Anchored off Corfu, Greece, from Aug. 1-5. August 6, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Koper, Slovenia, for a four-day port call before participating in exercise Rescue Eagle '96, in the Adriatic Sea. August 28, USS Mitscher arrived in Alexandria, Egypt, for a four-day port visit after participated in exercise Shark Hunt in the eastern Mediterranean; Port visit to Rhodes, Greece, from Sept. 2-6. September 16, DDG 57 arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, for a four-day port visit before participating in exercise Dynamic Mix. October 4, USS Mitscher anchored off the coast of Theoule-sur-Mer, France, for a three-day visit; Anchored off Cannes, France, from Oct. 7-17. October 23, The Mitscher anchored off the coast of Aksaz Kaaragac, Turkey, for a five-day visit to Marmaris after participating in exercise Dogu Akdeniz. October 29, The guided-missle destroyer arrived in Larnaca, Cyprus, for a six-day port call. November 7, USS Mitscher arrived in Naples, Italy, for a seven-day port visit; Port call to La Maddalena, Italy, for upkeep from Nov. 15-22. November 29, DDG 57 pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, for a three-day port call to take on fuel and supplies; Turnover with the USS Ramage (DDG 61) on Dec. 8. December 20, USS Mitscher returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day Tiger Cruise from Bermuda, completing the six-month deployment. Februry 3, 1997 The Mitscher departed homeport for a four-day underway period in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Commenced a three-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on Feb. 11; Underway for sea trials from May 9-10; Underway again on May 16. May 20, USS Mitscher pulled into Annapolis, Md., for a four-day visit to the Naval Academy; Ammo onload at NWS Yorktown from June 16-18. June 21, The guided-missile destroyer moored at Nauticus Pier in downtown Norfolk for a two-day visit in conjunction with the Cajun Food Festival; Underway for Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) I from July 8-11, July 15-18, July 23-24, July 25-31 and Aug. 4-6; Underway for TSTA II from Aug. 18-22, Sept. 2-3 and Sept. 29-30; Underway for TSTA III from Oct. 15-17 and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) from Oct. 27-30. January 29, 1998 Cmdr. Philip H. Cullom relieved Cmdr. Raymond A. Spicer as the 3rd CO of USS Mitscher. February 2, The Mitscher departed Norfolk for COMPTUEX, as part of the the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) BG; Port call to Ponce, Puerto Rico, from Feb. 20-23; Returned home on Feb. 26; Ammo onload at NWS Yorktown from April 13-16; Moored at Nauticus Pier after a Family day Cruise from Yorktown for a four-day visit; Underway for Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) from April 27- May 14. June 10, USS Mitscher departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled Mediterranean deployment. June 24, DDG 57 anchored off the coast of Cassis, France, for a six-day goodwill visit. July 3, The Mitscher pulled into Augusta Bay, Italy, for a five-day port call to celebrate the Independence Day. July 17, USS Mitscher arrived in Messina, Italy, for a four-day port visit after participating in exercise SHAREM 125. July 30, The guided-missile destroyer arrived in Mykonos, Greece, for a five-day port visit after participated in exercise Matador '98, from July 21-27; Port call to Taranto, Italy, from Aug. 7-11. August 24, USS Mitscher arrived in Venice, Italy, for a five-day port visit; Inport Corfu, Greece, from Sept. 3-7; Anchored off Monte-Carlo, Monaco, from Sept. 10-15. September 18, USS Mitscher anchored off Mahon, Spain, for a four-day visit to Menorca Island, before participating in exercise Sea Fancy; Port calls to Cagliari, Italy, from Sept. 28-29 and La Maddalena from Sept. 30- Oct. 2. October 3, The Mitscher arrived in Algiers, Algeria, for a two-day port call before commencing exercise Dynamic Mix. Detach on Oct. 11 for a transit to Adriatic Sea in support of Deliberate Force and Flexible Anvil. November 3, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, for a 10-day port call; Participated in exercise Sardina from Nov. 16-18; Port call to Malaga, Spain, from Nov. 21-29; Anchored off the coast of Bermuda for a brief stop to embark "Tigers" on Dec. 7. December 10, USS Mitscher returned to homeport after a six-month deployment. January 12, 1999 DDG 57 arrived at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., for a three-day ammo offload; Commenced a two-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on Jan. 20; Underway again on April 5; Port call to Cape Canaveral, Fla., from April 9-12; Ammo onload at NWS Yorktown from April 14-16. May 17, USS Mitscher departed Norfolk to participate in exercise Marvika '99, in the northern Atlantic; Port visit to Oslo, Norway, from May 28-31. June 7, The Mitscher pulled into Portsmouth, England, for a four-day port call; Port visit to Halifax from June 23-26; Returned home on June 28. July 30, Cmdr. Frank C. Pandolfe relieved Cmdr. Philip H. Cullom as CO of the Mitscher during a change-of-command ceremony while pierside at Nauticus. August 27, The Mitscher anchored off Annapolis, Md., for a four-day visit to the Naval Academy; Inport Baltimore to evade the Hurricane Dennis on Aug. 31. September 15, USS Mitscher emergency sortied from Naval Station Norfolk to evade the Hurricane Floyd; Underway for USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) BG's Group-Sail operation, in the Virginia Capes OPAREA, from Sept. 22-30 and Oct. 25- Nov. 4. November 5, The Mitscher moored to Navy Pier on Staten Island for a three-day visit to New York City; Underway for VANDALEX from Nov. 13-17. January 29, 2000 USS Mitscher arrived in Miami, Fla., for a three-day port visit; Conducted EXTORP exercise at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range, off Andros Island, Bahamas, on Feb. 4. February 25, The Mitscher pulled into Naval Station Mayport for a two-day port call before participating in a joint exercise ASCIET 2000 in the Jacksonville and Charleston Operating Areas, from Feb. 27- March 8; Underway for INSURV assessment from April 11-13. May 3, USS Mitscher departed homeport to participate in ASW exercise Slapsot, with the Truman Battle Group. May 15, The guided-missile destroyer departed Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, after a three-day port call to conduct Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) testing; Returned home on May 26. July 2, USS Mitscher arrived in Eastport, Maine, for a three-day port visit to celebrate the Independence Day; Underway for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) from Aug. 2- Sept. 1; Port call to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, from Aug. 9-12. September 22, USS Mitscher departed Naval Station Norfolk for a Family Day Cruise; Underway for NATO exercise Unified Spirit 2000 and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) from Oct. 16-26; Ammo onload at NWS Yorktown from Nov. 27-30. January 12, 2001 USS Mitscher departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment, as part of USS Harry S. Truman Battle Group. January 23, The Mitscher arrived in Barcelona, Spain, for a four-day port visit. February 4, The guided-missile destroyer anchored off Algiers, Algeria, for a five-day port visit before participating in USWEX; Inport Valletta, Malta, from Feb. 10-14. February 24, DDG 57 anchored off the coast of Catania, Italy, for a three-day port visit. March 7, Cmdr. Michael R. Barclift relieved Cmdr. Frank C. Pandolfe as CO of USS Mitscher during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship in Adriatic Sea. Arrived in Dubrovnik, Croatia, for a six-day port visit. March 19, The Mitscher arrived at Naval Support Activity La Maddalena, Italy, for a week-long upkeep; Port call to Gaeta, Italy, from April 6-10, for a Mid-Cycle assessment; Arrived in Souda Bay, Greece, for a brief stop on April 12. April 24, USS Mitscher arrived in Manama, Bahrain, for a three-day port call; Anchored off Muscat, Oman, for a brief stop on May 2; Participated in exercise Khunjar Hadd in the Batinah areas, from May 3-9. May 19, The Mitscher pulled into Jebel Ali, U.A.E., for a three-day liberty visit to Dubai; Another visit to Manama from June 4-8; Port call to Souda Bay from June 18-19; Inport Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from June 25-30; Moored at Naval Station Newport , R.I., to embark "Tigers" on July 10. July 12, USS Mitscher returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR). August 14, DDG 57 arrived at Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., for ammunition offload; Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on Aug. 20; Commenced a three-month SRA at Moon Engineering in Portsmouth, Va., on Aug. 31; Returned to Norfolk on Dec. 5. March 4, 2002 USS Mitscher arrived in Port Everglades, Fla., for a four-day visit to Ft. Lauderdale. April 5, The Mitscher departed homeport in support of COMPTUEX for USS George Washington (CVN 73) Battle Group, as part of opposition forces; Port call to Naval Station Mayport from April 23-26; Underway for for week-long SINKEX on June 6. August 9, Cmdr. Donald A. Schmieley relieved Cmdr. Michael R. Barclift as commanding officer of the USS Mitscher. August 24, USS Mitscher departed homeport for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the Harry S. Truman BG. October 17, The guided-missile destroyer departed Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, after a two-day ammo onload, for a Family Day Cruise back to Norfolk; Underway for JTFEX 03-1 from Oct. 25- Nov. 6. December 5, USS Mitscher departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in support of Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. December 23, The Mitscher pulled into Aksaz Naval Base for a four-day visit to Marmaris, Turkey. January 13, 2003 DDG 57 pulled into Souda Bay, Greece, for a week-long port call before participating in exercise Juniper Cobra; Another visits to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay from Feb. 4-8 and March 20-23. March 19, USS Mitscher launched its first Tomahawk Missiles in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, from the station in eastern Mediterranean. March 30, The Mitscher transited the Suez Canal southbound; Port call to Manama, Bahrain, to offload ordnance from April 16-18; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on April 26. May 5, The Mitscher pulled into Lisbon, Portugal, for a four-day port visit; Moored at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for a brief stop on May 20. May 23, USS Mitscher returned to Norfolk after five-and-a-half month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR. August 9, The guided-missile destroyer departed Naval Station Norfolk for a Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) I/II; Port call to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., from Aug. 14-18; Returned home on Aug. 22; Underway for TSTA IV from Sept. 15-23; Ammo offload at NWS Yorktown from Oct. 1-3. October 8, USS Mitscher entered the NORSHIPCO shipyard at Portsmouth, Va., for a three-month Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). April 28, 2004 The Mitscher pulled into Port Everglades, Fla., to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration. August 20, USS Mitscher, along with the USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Hawes (FFG 53), departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's annual theater Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise, Smart Search '04. November 15, 2005 USS Mitscher returned to homeport after a scheduled deployment. Along with other NATO ships, she patrolled the Mediterranean, conducting surveillance and Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) in support of the global war on terrorism. She also took part in Operation Active Endeavour, establishing a presence in the Mediterranean and patrolling merchant traffic to prevent terrorism and illegal activities. DDG 57 patrolled Black Sea and strengtened allied capabilities by providing maritime interception operations training to Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine forces. It also visited Souda Bay, Crete, from Aug. 22-27 and Oct. 25-29; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from Sept. 6-10. April 4, 2007 USS Mitscher, commanded by Cmdr. Bill McKinley, is currently underway in the Caribbean Sea to begin its role in a U.S. Navy Task Group conducting Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007. April 18, The Mitscher arrived in Salvador, Brazil, for a scheduled port visit; Port call to Buenos Aires, Argentina, from April 26-30. May 2, USS Mitscher arrived in Puerto Belgrano, Argentina, for a port visit before participating in Atlantic phase of UNITAS 48-07; Inport Punta Arenas, Chile, from May 18-22. May 30, The Mitscher arrived in Mejillones, Chile, after transiting the Strait of Magellan and conducting training off the central coast of Chile. July 1, USS Mitscher pulled into Callao, Peru, after completing UNITAS 48-07 Pacific phase and a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Peruvian Navy; Transited the Panama Canal northbound on July 12. July 30, The Mitscher recently pulled into Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for a routine port call. August 25, The guided-missile destroyer recently visited Fort-de-France, Martinique; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Castries, St. Lucia. August 30, DDG 57 recently moored in Port of Colon, Panama, to participate in PANAMAX 2007; Moored at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from Sept. 9-?. September 18, USS Mitscher returned to Norfolk after a six-month deployment in support of Partnership of the Americas (POA). April 28, 2008 USS Mitscher pulled into Port Everglades, Fla., to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration. September 19, The Mitscher departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in a multinational exercise Joint Warrior Course, off the coast of Scottland; Moored at HMNB Clyde in Faslane from Oct. 1-?. November 12, DDG 57 departed Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth, England, after a four-day port call; Returned home on Nov. 22. January 27, 2009 USS Mitscher departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in support of the Royal Navy's Taurus '09. April 26, The Mitscher anchored off the coast of Male, Republic of Maldives, for a goodwill port visit. May 6, USS Mitscher arrived in Singapore for a scheduled port visit and to take part in the International Maritime Defense Exhibition Asia 2009 Warship Display, from May 12-14. June 17, The Mitscher anchored off Phuket, Thailand, for a five-day liberty port visit; Inport Valencia, Spain, from July 25-2?. August 14, USS Mitscher returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a nearly seven-month deployment. The ship visited 13 ports including Naples, Italy. While in the Mediterranean Sea, Mitscher supported Operation Active Endeavour, NATO's initiative to help deter terrorist activity in the area. August 27, 2010 Cmdr. Brian K. Sorenson relieved Cmdr. Sterling W. Dawley as CO of the Mitscher during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship. October 20, A sailor that presumed overboard, after not showing up at the 12:15 p.m. muster, was rescued about 5:40 p.m. EDT, off Cape Heatteras, N.C., by rigid-hulled inflatable boat from the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58). He was transported to the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) on Wednesday night for full medical examination. USS Mitscher is currently underway conducting training, as part of the Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG), in preparation for the upcoming deployment next year. January 19, 2011 DDG 57 departed Naval Station Norfolk for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX); Moored in Port Everglades, Fla., from Feb. 11-14; Returned home on Feb. 23; Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on April 8. May 11, USS Mitscher departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment. June 6, The Mitscher departed Durres, Albania, after a three-day port visit to participate in Partnership of Adriatic Mariners; Inport Bar, Montenegro, from July 10-15. August 13, USS Mitscher, currently assigned to Combined Maritime Forces' Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, provided assistance to a Sri Lankan-flagged cargo vessel Al Habib, while conducting maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden. September 17, The guided-missile destroyer provided assistance to a Yemeni-flagged fishing dhow Leymun Al-Mahra, which had been adrift for seven days after its battery died. October 4, USS Mitscher departed Manama, Bahrain, after a four-day port visit; Inport Jebel Ali, U.A.E., from Oct. 24-28; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on Nov. 17. November 23, The Mitscher pulled into Lisbon, Portugal, for a five-day port visit before participating in antisubmarine warfare exercise with the Portuguese navy. December 10, USS Mitscher returned to Norfolk after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR. February 24, 2012 Cmdr. Monika W. Stoker relieved Cmdr. Brian K. Sorenson as CO of the Mitscher. April 17, USS Mitscher arrived in New Orleans, La., for a six-day port visit to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 during the Fleet Week. May 23, The Mitscher moored at Homeport Pier in Staten Island, N.Y., for a week-long port visit to participate in the 25th Fleet Week New York. September 17, USS Mitscher departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in the multinational exercise Joint Warrior 12-2, off the coast of Scotland. September 26, USS Mitscher moored outboard the USS Gettysburg (CG 64) at HMNB Clyde in Faslane for the in-port phase of exercise; Underway for at-sea phase on Sept. 30. October 13, The guided-missile destroyer moored outboard the Gettysburg in Portsmouth, England, for a five-day port call; Returned home on Oct. 30. February 28, 2013 USS Mitscher entered the Old Dominion dry-dock at the BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair for an Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA). October 13, Cmdr. Frank E. Brandon relieved Cmdr. Monika W. Stoker as the 13th commanding officer of DDG 57. In early November, the Mitscher completed a 10-month Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability. September 1, 2014 USS Mitscher is currently underway for Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX) off the coast of Florida. September 22, USS Mitscher departed Norfolk for a scheduled Arabian Gulf deployment. September 29, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Ponta Delgada, Portugal, for a brief stop at Sao Miguel Island to refuel; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct. 2. October 4, USS Mitscher moored at Dique de Botafoch Pier in Port of Ibiza, Spain, for a three-day visit; Transited the Strait of Messina on Oct. 14; Transited the Suez Canal on Oct. 18. November 2, The Mitscher departed Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), Bahrain, after a brief port call for inchop brief; Participated in International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 2014, in the Arabian Gulf, through Nov. 13. In Mid-January 2015, USS Mitscher participated in a training exercise Spartan Kopis 15-01, in the Arabian Gulf, with the USS Sirocco (PC 6), USS Squall (PC 7) and USCGC Adak (WPB 1333). February 13, DDG 57 recently departed Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Bahrain, after a week-long upkeep; Inport KBSP again for outchop brief and turnover with the USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) on March 26; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on April 9. April 10, Cmdr. Milciades A. Then relieved Cmdr. Frank E. Brandon as CO of the Mitscher during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship while underway in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. April 12, USS Mitscher moored at Lora Naval Base in Split, Croatia, for a three-day port visit. April 18, The Mitscher moored at Molo Italia Wharf in Port of Livorno, Italy, for a four-day visit. May 3, USS Mitscher returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a seven-and-a-half month deployment in support of Maritime Interception Operations (MIO). May 15, General Dynamics NASSCO-Norfolk was awarded a $36,4 million contract for execution of USS Mitscher's Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA). Work is expected to be completed by March 2016. June 1, The Mitscher recently departed homeport for local operations and ammo offload at the NWS Yorktown, Va. June 5, USS Mitscher moored at Nauticus Pier in downtown Norfolk for a three-day visit in conjunction with the 39th annual Harborfest. July 13, The Mitscher entered the Speede Dry Dock at NASSCO shipyard for an eight-and-a-half month availability. April 7, 2016 USS Mitscher recenetly moved "dead-stick" from NASSCO shipyard to Berth 2, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 after underway for sea trials in early June. July 25, DDG 57 departed homeport to conduct routine training off the coast of Virginia. October 7, Cmdr. Brett R. Oster relieved Cmdr. Milciades A. Then as CO of the USS Mitscher during a change-of-command ceremony at Berth 6, Pier 4. October 14, The Mitscher recently moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., to onload ammo before underway for Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT). November 28, USS Mitscher departed Naval Station Norfolk in support of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) CSG's Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of opposition forces; Returned home on Dec. 18. January 10, 2017 USS Mitscher is currently moored at Berth 6, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk. February 20, The Mitscher departed Norfolk en route to Mobile, Ala., to participate in annual Fleet Week and Mardi Gras festivities; Moored at Container Berth, Alabam State Docks Pier 2 in Port of Mobile from Feb. 24- March 1; Returned home on March 5. April 6, USS Mitscher moored at Berth 2, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk after underway for routine training in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 7 on April 2?. May 22, DDG 57 moored at Berth 1, Pier 9 on Naval Station Norfolk after underway for routine training; Underway again on June 12; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 on June 29. August 16, The Mitscher moored at Berth 5, Pier 7 after a nine-day underway for routine training. September 8, USS Mitscher departed Norfolk to participate in NATO exercises Formidable Shield and Joint Warrior 17-2, in the Irish Sea and off the western coast of Scotland. September 21, USS Mitscher moored outboard the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) at Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, for a two-day port visit; Inport Faslane again from Sept. 28- Oct. 1; Transited the Pentland Firth eastbound on Oct. 16; Transited the Dover Strait southbound, just before midnight, on Oct. 17. October 18, The Mitscher moored at Victory Jetty on Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth, England, for a five-day port visit; Transited the English Channel westbound on Oct. 23; Moored at Pier 3 in Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a brief stop to refuel on Oct. 25. November 3, USS Mitscher moored at Berth 6, Pier 4 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for routine training off the coast of Virginia on Nov. 13; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 5 on Nov. 17. February 2, 2018 The guided-missile destroyer moored at Berth 2, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk after a four-day underway in the VACAPES Op. Area. February 28, USS Mitscher moored at Berth 1, Pier 2 after a 10-day underway in support of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) CSG's COMPTUEX, as part of opposition forces, in the Jacksonville and Charleston Op. Areas. March 9, Cmdr. Ian J. Scaliatine relieved Cmdr. Brett R. Oster as the 16th CO of Mitscher during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship. April 4, USS Mitscher moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk after a 20-day underway for Task Force Exercise (TFEX), in the Cherry Point and Jacksonville Op. Areas; Underway for Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX) on April 27. May 7, The Mitscher moored at Wharf D1 on Naval Station Mayport for a brief stop before moored at Wharf C1, after conducting operations off the coast of Fort Pierce, Florida; Underway on May 9. May 10, DDG 57 moored outboard the USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) at Wharf C2 on Naval Station Mayport for a one-day port call before participating in Submarine Commander's Course (SCC) at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range, off Andros Island, Bahamas; Underway in the Virginia Capes Op. Area from May 21-22. May 23, USS Mitscher moored at Red Hook Pier 12 in Brooklyn, N.Y., for a six-day port visit to participate in the 30th annual Fleet Week New York City. May 31, The Mitscher moored at Berth 6, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) summer cruise from June 5-6. July 7, The Mitscher moored at Berth 2, Pier 4 on Naval Station Norfolk after a one-day underway for INSURV preparations; Underway again from July 10-12; Underway for INSURV assessment from July 17-18; Underway again on July 23. July 23, The Mitscher moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown for a four-day ammo onload; Returned home on July 30; Emergency sortied due to approaching Hurricane Florence on Sept. 10; Arrived in the Key West Op. Area on Sept. 13; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 4 on Sept. 16. September 20, USS Mitscher departed Norfolk for an independent Middle East deployment, with the primary focus on Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) operations. September 29, The Mitscher moored at Berth 2, Pier 1 on Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a two-day port call; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound on Oct. 1. October 4, USS Mitscher moored at Quay 13b in Port of Civitavecchia, Italy, for a three-day liberty visit to Rome. From October 8-10, the Mitscher participated in a trilateral exercise Mare Aperto, off the south coast of Sardinia; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on Oct. 16. October 20, USS Mitscher recently moored at Phosphate Terminal in Port of Safaga, Egypt, for a scheduled visit; Participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the ENS El Suez (F946) on Oct. 21; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait southbound on Oct. 2?. November 19, The Mitscher conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Laramie (T-AO 203), while underway in the Gulf of Aden; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound, escorting the USS Essex (LHD 2), on Dec. 11; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound, escorting the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CSG, on Dec. 21. January 3, 2019 The Mitscher conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), while underway in the Arabian Gulf; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on Jan. ?; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196), while underway in the Gulf of Oman, on Jan. 21. January 30, USS Mitscher recently moored at Quay 9 in Port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a liberty visit to Dubai. February 4, The Mitscher conducted deck landing qualification with the U.S. Army's UH-60M Black Hawk, assigned to the 1-108th Aviation Regiment, 35th CAB, while underway off the coast of Kuwait; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on Feb. ?; Transited northbound, escorting the USS Hurricane (PC 3), on Feb. 8. February 21, The Mitscher conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), while underway in the Arabian Gulf; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound, escorting the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), on March 2; Transited northbound on March ?; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on April 7. April 8, USS Mitscher moored at Eastern Terminal in Port of Haifa, Israel, for a three-day visit; Moored at Themistokleous Pier in Port of Piraeus, Greece, from April 13-16; Transited the Strait of Sicily westbound, just after midnight, on April 18; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar, just before midnight, on April 19; Moored at Berth 3, Pier 1 on Naval Station Rota from April 20-21. May 2, USS Mitscher moored at Berth 1, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-and-a-half month deployment. June 10, The Mitscher moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown for a four-day ammo offload; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 2 on June 15; Moved "dead-stick" to Berth 1, Midtown Pier at Marine Hydraulics Industries (MHI) Ship Repair & Services shipyard on July 8.
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Carrier Strike Group 2
Operational history.:2012–2014 operations.
On 25 July 2012, "George H.W. Bush", began its four-month overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard at Portsmouth, Virginia, which included scheduled short-term technical upgrades. Also undergoing maintenance during 2012 were the guided-missile destroyers "Bainbridge", "Mason", "Bulkeley", "Ross", and "Barry", as well as the guided-missile frigate "Kauffman".