The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment to 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), April 11.

The deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of U.S. forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe.

"Our crew is excited to take care of our nation's business and continue to protect our great democracy," said Cmdr. Errol Robinson, the ship's commanding officer. "We are well trained and ready to go."

This will be the ship's 10th deployment since its commissioning on July 4th, 1992. During its last deployment to 5th and 6th fleets, Arleigh Burke fired Tomahawk missiles toward Syria as a part of the 2014 military intervention against ISIS.

"While it's tough to leave our families, friends, and homes, it's an honor to be a part of the team aboard Arleigh Burke and to take the first and best of her class on deployment," said Cmdr. John Gaines, executive officer. "It's our turn to stand the watch, as so many of our shipmates have done before us."

HSTCSG units will work alongside allied and partner maritime forces, focusing on theater security cooperation efforts which help to further regional stability.

The HSTCSG consists of the flagship, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), with embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG 8), Carrier Air Wing One (CVW 1) and Destroyer Squadron Two Eight (DESRON 28); embarked squadrons of CVW-1; guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); and DESRON 28 guided-missile destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), and USS The Sullivans (DGG 68). The Sachsen-class German frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) is also operating as part of the strike group during the first half of the deployment. USS Jason Dunham and USS The Sullivans are slated to deploy at a later date and will rejoin the strike group in theater.

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