USS Mitscher

Not to be confused with USS Mitscher (DL-2)

## USS Mitscher (DDG-57)

USS Mitscher

The **USS Mitscher (DDG-57)** is an *Arleigh Burke* class in service with the United States Navy. It was constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding, in Pascagoula, Mississippi on an order in December 1988. Laid down in 1992 it was formally commissioned on 10 December 1994.

### Namesake

**USS *Mitscher* (DDG-57)** became the second United States Navy warship named to honor Admiral Marc A. Mitscher (1887–1947), famed naval aviator and World War II aircraft carrier task force commander.

### Service History

USS *Mitscher* was commissioned on 10 December 1994, and was sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth Ferguson. *Mitscher* transferred to her homeport in Norfolk, Virginia later in December 1994, and has since made three Mediterranean deployments and participated in many Caribbean exercises. On 20 September 1998 a plaque was dedicated to USS Mitscher at Mahon (Naval) Cemetery where US and UK sailors lie at rest, some from various ships in the 1800s.

In 2001, *Mitscher* deployed with Carrier Group 2 centered on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. In October 2006, *Mitscher* participated in Neptune Warrior, a joint war exercise with navies from all over the world.

On 16 February 2007, *Mitscher* was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.

Beginning 23 July 2011, during its 2011 deployment, the strike group's anti-piracy capabilities was augmented by the addition of a U.S. Coast Guard 12-person Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT) embarked aboard *Mitscher*. These deployable Coast Guard boarding teams consisted of highly trained maritime law enforcement specialists capable of Level III non-compliant boardings. As the only organization in the U.S. government with the combined authority of a law enforcement agency, an intelligence agency, and a military service, they brought additional capabilities and expertise to *Mitscher*'s embarked visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team. *Mitscher*'s VBSS team and the AIT trained together between operations to enhance their joint boarding tactics, boat operation skills, and internal movements.

On 13 August 2011, as part of Combined Task Force 150 operating in the Gulf of Aden, *Mitscher* provided assistance to the Sri Lankan-flagged cargo vessel *Al Habib* which was experiencing engineering problems and running low on water. *Mitscher*'s VBSS-AIT boarding party transported supplies to *Al Habib* via rigid-hulled inflatable boat, including two 3-gallon (11.36 liters) containers of water and four cases of bottled water.

On 24 February 2012 Commander Monika W. Stoker became the first African-American female to become the commanding officer of a United States warship. Commander Stoker relieved Commander Brian K. Sorrenson after serving as his executive officer for 20 months prior.

On 2 June 2015, *Mitscher* welcomed the French frigate *Hermione* in US waters on behalf of the US Navy.

On 16 April 2022, *Mitscher* arrived at Norfolk following a surge deployment.

On 9 August 2023, The Navy announced plans to extend the ship's service life beyond the initial 35 years, intending to keep *Mitscher* in service until at least 2034.