Navy to Deploy Second Destroyer for Border Patrol Operations

The U.S. Navy is deploying a second destroyer to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border this week, following the USS Gravely’s deployment. This action is part of intensified border security measures amid rising immigration concerns and drug trafficking. The ships will assist the Coast Guard in law enforcement operations, marking a significant approach in defense strategies for U.S. waters.

The United States Navy is scheduled to deploy a second destroyer by the end of this week to patrol waters off the U.S.-Mexico border. This decision follows the recent deployment of USS Gravely, which set sail from a Virginia naval base on Saturday. A U.S. official confirmed these plans, emphasizing the military’s intensified efforts to address immigration and border security under the current administration.

U.S. Northern Command announced that the USS Gravely is accompanied by a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, empowering it to undertake missions, such as ship interdictions and drug seizures. This measure complements a recent surge of thousands of troops deployed to the southern border and the designation of Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, indicating a serious approach towards managing border crossings.

The Coast Guard hinted at the impending deployment of the second warship in a statement highlighting their ongoing collaboration with multiple Navy vessels in drug interdiction efforts. Although Cmdr. Liza Dougherty from Northern Command did not confirm the specifics of the additional destroyer, the Coast Guard’s communications referenced “these U.S. Navy warships” in a plural context, which supports the notion of increased naval support.

Adm. Kevin Lunday of the Coast Guard remarked that these Navy ships enhance operational capabilities, stating their unique strengths are vital for achieving complete control of the border. Unlike the Coast Guard’s smaller cutters, a Navy destroyer like the Gravely is heavily armed, equipped with significant missile capabilities, including Tomahawk Land Attack missiles, though their current mission remains focused on patrolling alongside the Coast Guard.

Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, the Joint Staff’s operations chief, confirmed the Gravely’s participation in drug interdiction missions aimed at addressing the influx of illegal substances. While the timeframe for this deployment is not clear due to operational security, the term “scheduled deployment” suggests a commitment to a multi-month mission.

Deploying two warships to the U.S. waters is notably unprecedented, as operations under Northern Command, established in 2002, typically do not extend to lengthy naval deployments. While Navy ships often engage in shorter exercises under their purview, extended deployments outside of disaster responses have been rare historically. Notably, significant military engagement in this area hasn’t occurred since the Battle of Vera Cruz in 1914, underpinning the uncommon nature of this operation.

In conclusion, the Navy’s decision to deploy a second destroyer emphasizes a robust military response to immigration and border security challenges. With the USS Gravely already operational alongside the Coast Guard, these initiatives signify an unusual and serious approach to patrolling U.S. waters. The deployment’s duration remains uncertain, but it marks a significant shift in naval operations in support of homeland security.

Original Source: www.military.com