The Navy will deploy a second destroyer to patrol U.S.-Mexico waters, joining the USS Gravely as part of border control efforts. The destroyers, equipped with Coast Guard law enforcement teams, will focus on drug interdiction and maritime security. This military presence represents an unusual shift in operations within U.S. territorial waters.
The United States Navy is set to deploy a second destroyer to patrol the waters off the U.S. and Mexico by the end of this week. This deployment follows the initial dispatch of the USS Gravely on Saturday, which is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to enhance border control and immigration enforcement. A U.S. official, who remains anonymous, confirmed this information to Military.com on Wednesday.
The USS Gravely, which set sail from a naval base in Virginia, is accompanied by a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, enabling it to engage in operations such as drug seizures and vessel interdictions. This move comes as the administration ramps up its military presence at the southern border, having previously labeled Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
The Coast Guard hinted at the impending deployment of a second destroyer in a recent statement, which highlighted collaborative success in intercepting drug shipments at sea. They indicated that “these U.S. Navy warships” would operate alongside and bolster Coast Guard efforts.
Cmdr. Liza Dougherty from Northern Command has refrained from confirming the specifics of the second destroyer’s deployment. However, the statement asserted the role of multiple Navy ships in support of Coast Guard operations, with Adm. Kevin Lunday emphasizing the unique capabilities provided by these naval vessels.
The USS Gravely is a heavily armed destroyer capable of carrying a significant arsenal, including 96 missiles. Its deployment comes in a context where discussions of potentially tactical strikes into Mexico have surfaced, although current missions are focused on assisting the Coast Guard.
Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich clarified that the Gravely would participate primarily in missions aimed at drug interdiction. While the specific duration of the deployment remains unclear, the term “scheduled deployment” suggests a multi-month mission is anticipated.
Deployments of two warships in the U.S. territorial waters are notably uncommon, particularly with Northern Command’s focus on homeland defense. While Navy operations within Northern Command are not unusual, extended deployments are rare, especially outside disaster responses.
The Navy’s History and Heritage Command stated that significant deployments akin to this have not occurred since events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. Historical context reveals that major military operations near the U.S.-Mexico border have been infrequent since the 1914 Battle of Vera Cruz amid tensions between the two nations.
The deployment of a second Navy destroyer to patrol the waters off the U.S. and Mexico signifies an unprecedented military effort to enhance border security. With the USS Gravely already operational, these warships aim to assist the Coast Guard in anti-drug operations, reflecting the current administration’s ongoing focus on immigration enforcement. Such military actions in domestic maritime zones are atypical, marking a significant shift in homeland defense strategies.
Original Source: www.military.com
