Shortly after her commissioning in 2006, "Hessen" was deployed with other ships of the German Navy to guard the Mecklenburg coastline during the 33rd G8 summit in 2007, which was being held in the region. In 2008 she was part of the Maritime Task Force deployed in support of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. In late 2009 "Hessen" was involved in a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the east coast of the USA, in company with the . In March the following year she was part of the combat group. In June the "Hessen" transited the Suez Canal with the US force and deployed with the US Fifth Fleet.