Destroyer Squadron 26 Destroyer Squadron 26 ( DESRON - 26 ) is a destroyer squadron of the United States Navy . It was first created in 1950 . It has seen action in Korea , service in the Atlantic , in Vietnam , and many deployments in the Atlantic . From 1974 for a period it became the ' Mod Squad ' , trialling ships commanded by officers one rank junior to the usual appointment rank . History . In 1950 , four general purpose destroyers were grouped into Destroyer Squadron Twenty - Six , which saw combat action in Korea until 1952 . Following the end of the Korean Conflict , the squadron departed the Pacific for a new homeport in Norfolk , Virginia . On February 6 , 1961 I went aboard the day she returned to D & S Piers Norfolk from a Med Cruise . Corry was in DESRON 26 , DESDIV 262 . Commander H . W . Hiller was the CO and LCDR Crevier was XO . ' In July 1964 , Destroyer Squadron TWENTY - SIX became one of the Navy ' s three all guided missile squadrons consisting of six modern and versatile destroyers . The squadron also saw combat action off Vietnam with the U . S . Pacific Fleet from 1964 to 1970 . From 1971 to 1974 , Destroyer Squadron 26 was selected by the Chief of Naval Operations , Admiral Elmo Zumwalt , to evaluate a new manning concept in which ships would be manned and commanded by outstanding officers one rank junior to those normally assigned . This " Mod Squad , " as it was nicknamed , initiated the " Go Navy " cruise recruiting program with 626 prospective recruits embarked in the squadron ' s ships conducting operations off Newport , Rhode Island . On 1 January 1971 , joined the squadron . Since 1974 , Destroyer Squadron 26 has participated in the first Anti - Air Warfare Training Ship Program , the first Atlantic Fleet Open Ocean Mobile Sea Range Operation , Operation Sail ( " Review of the Tall Ships " ) , and the 1976 NATO Firepower Demonstration , operating with the United States Second Fleet . In April 1978 , Destroyer Squadrons in the Atlantic were reorganized and Destroyer Squadron 26 was designated a tactical squadron . As such , it was responsible for the " at - sea " training and operations of destroyers and frigates during exercises and deployments , while administrative responsibilities were assigned to readiness squadrons who remained in homeport . In September 1995 , as a result of the reorganization of Commander , Naval Surface Forces Atlantic , destroyer squadrons became permanent Immediate Superior In Command ( ISIC ) to all destroyers and frigates . This reorganization replaced all tactical destroyer squadrons and readiness squadrons and combined the duties and responsibilities of the two into the new destroyer squadron . USS Barry was under command of ( tactical ) Destroyer Squadron 26 in 1993 , 1994 and 1995 , while administratively part of Destroyer Squadron 2 . From August 31 , 1995 , in accordance with the reorganization , Destroyer Squadron 26 was to oversee the combat readiness of four ships , , , USS Comte de Grasse , and USS Samuel B . Roberts . In July 1996 the squadron deployed with the USS George Washington Battle Group , completing a highly successful Black Sea visit . During the visit it made port visits to Varna , Bulgaria ; Constanta , Romania ; and Odessa , Ukraine . By the end of the deployment , DESRON 26 ships had participated in 13 major exercises . DESRON 26 crew members participated in community relations projects such as painting , electrical and mechanical repairs and lawn work . When visiting high school students , " . . . Sailors shared stories about growing up in America . " In 2005 the squadron was made up of USS Barry ( DDG - 52 ) , USS Mahan ( DDG - 72 ) , USS Mason ( DDG - 87 ) , and USS Kauffman ( FFG - 59 ) . Squadron duties also include the stewardship and oversight of training , material readiness , maintenance , and the personnel of the assigned ships . In 2010 - 11 , whether deployed or in homeport ( Norfolk , VA ) , DESRON 26 reported administratively and operationally to Commander Carrier Strike Group Ten . In 2012 , " Gettysburg " and " Mitscher " were detached from Destroyer Squadron 22 to Destroyer Squadron 26 for the UK ' s Joint Warrior 12 - 2 exercise . Activities from 2010 . In 2013 Destroyer Squadron Twenty - Six ' s mission was officially described as to conduct underway operations and exercise tactical control of destroyers , frigates , submarines , and aircraft during peace and wartime operations . When deployed as part of a Carrier Strike Group , the squadron commander serves as Alternate Composite Warfare Commander ( CWC ) and Sea Combat Commander ( SCC ) . The SCC is responsible for performing numerous roles within the Strike Group , including Undersea Warfare Commander , Surface Warfare Commander , Submarine Operations Coordinating Authority , Maritime Interception Operations Commander , and Screen Coordinator . During underway operations separate from the carrier strike group , the squadron commander may also serve as a Joint or naval Task Group Commander . Squadron duties also include the stewardship and oversight of training , material readiness , maintenance , and the personnel of the assigned ships . Whether deployed or in its homeport , Norfolk , Virginia , the squadron reports administratively and operationally to Commander Carrier Strike Group Ten . As of 2013 , the squadron consists of the guided - missile destroyers , , and , as well as the guided - missile frigate .