The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer routinely operates across the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, maintaining the necessary readiness, flexibility and agility to respond to changes in the maritime environment.

“The U.S. Navy’s presence in the Sea of Japan allows us to uphold the law of the sea, as part of the rules-based international order,” said Cmdr. Jeffery Murawski, commanding officer of USS Rafael Peralta. "Our ability to operate efficiently as joint and combined forces is a fundamental strategic interest and a defining factor for the future stability of the Indo-Pacific region.”

Rafael Peralta performed multiple evolutions to include a live-fire gunnery exercise, maritime strike operations, flight operations, Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) training and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training.

The Tomahawk strike team conducted a training exercise demonstrating the ship’s ability to track, target, and engage threats from the sea, air or land in support of a range of mission areas. This training maintains tactical and technical proficiency, integrate updated tactics, and utilize best practices to safely employ tomahawk cruise missiles in support of U.S. 7th Fleet theater operations. Rafael Peralta also conducted a complete high-caliber live-fire exercise using the 5-inch/54 caliber gun, close-in weapons system (CIWS) rail gun and Mk 38 25mm chain-fed machine gun.

These exercises train Sailors on the ship’s offensive and defensive capabilities against surface and air threats, and are designed to address common maritime security priorities and concerns, enhance interoperability and communication, and develop relationships to mutually benefit U.S. forces in the future. Training environments enhance the credibility of conventional deterrence by demonstrating U.S. combat capabilities in live-fire training.

As a forward-deployed vessel, Rafael Peralta contributes to critical missions in support of regional peace and prosperity. Rafael Peralta conducts operations and exercises to uphold the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law.

Rafael Peralta is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force interacting with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict.