The guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) deployed from  Naval Station Norfolk today to conduct maritime security operations and provide ballistic missile defense for U.S. Navy fleet and combatant commanders.     

Trained and ready to deploy, Ramage crew participated in the Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group composite training unit exercise earlier this year. While the ship and its crew of approximately 300 Sailors departed on an independent deployment, they are fully certified and capable of operating with other units including carrier strike groups.   

Ramage previously deployed to support and provide ballistic missile defense to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility in 2015. 

The ship is named for Vice Adm. Lawson P. “Red” Ramage, who received the Medal of Honor for his "conspicuous gallantry" while in command of the submarine USS Parche (SSN 683) during World War II. Ramage commissioned July 22, 1995. 

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