The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) has returned to its homeport in Rota, Spain, following a five-and-a-half-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
The ship’s return marks the end of its third patrol since joining the forward-deployed Naval Forces Europe (FDNF-E) in August 2022.
During this extended patrol, the Bulkeley played a key role in ensuring security and stability across European and African waters, working alongside NATO allies and partner nations.
The patrol included defending Israel by engaging multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and assisting in the rescue of 65 people stranded at sea.
Additionally, the crew participated in various military exercises, leadership engagements, and bilateral operations with the Republic of Cyprus. The Bulkeley also took part in Carrier Strike Group operations, completed numerous gunshoot qualifications, conducted underway replenishments, and participated in flight quarters and small boat operations.
Cmdr. Art Trejo, the current commanding officer of the Bulkeley, praised the crew for their proficiency, teamwork, and resilience throughout the deployment.
“The crew demonstrated an incredible amount of proficiency, teamwork, and resiliency on this highly successful patrol,” he said. “I could not be more proud of their achievements, positive attitude, and high morale.”
After traveling more than 34,000 miles and spending 168 days at sea, the Bulkeley returned just in time for the holidays, reuniting with family and friends.
The U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, is responsible for conducting a full spectrum of joint and naval operations across Europe and Africa.
The West is short of escorts and boats and as a ‘maritime empire’ it cannot afford to be without such things.
It would be easier if the other western powers like France and Italy took freedom on navigation and maritime security as a responsibilty.
There are plenty of hills around.
As you say a lot of countries won’t commit them to freedom of navigation or convoy protection duties.
The other problem is that although a lot of them look impressive on paper they nowhere near as capable as T23 never mind T45 as anti missile work.
We can now see how impressive Sea Ceptor is as a system.
Sorry meant to say ‘hulls’
I guess that you are not aware that the Marine Nationale currently has the CDG Strike group heading towards the Indian Ocean and the Far East,and that the Marina Militare had a large Surface Group recently return from the same area ?.
I am aware. I’m also aware that they transited the Red Sea without doing a single thing. Literally Nothing. They’re on a global flag waving cruise to suck up to Xi and the CCCP.
Given the rhetoric coming out of Washington and the threats to force a surrender on Ukraine and presumably Europe as well it’s not surprising Europe is reaching out to Beijing. A reproach with China may be Europe’s best option for a just peace in Ukraine depending on what happens on Jan 6th.
The incoming administration has already openly threatened annexation of one EU members territory as well as another NATO member.
It’s very normal for the 2nd and 3rd power in any Geo political situation to team up when the 1st power starts throwing its weight around (see Europe 1914) (Nixon China 1972)
I’m not sure if you believe the USA going on a Russian style annexation binge in North America is a way to make America Great Again but I would suggest it’s the wrong message to be sending in perilous times.
Transitioning through the Red Sea is not an automatic call to action, if the Group was threatened or attacked there would have been a different response and outcome. I’m sure President Xi’s CCCP will be positively ecstatic that the MN will be conducting Exercises with the Indian Navy and their Carriers 😉.
Forces people – vote with your feet.
You mean nothing to politicians who have no clue in the first place.
Judging by comments like that. Most others do not have a clue either.
How do you spell your name in Russian.
“your name”, in Russian?
No idea.
Do you have anything original to post?
In any language?
Thank you to the crew of USS Bulkeley. Enjoy your break. The USN helps keep the world a safer place. Good luck regenerating the US fleet, and let’shope the UK SDR enables the RN to increase our contribution.
Indeed. We’re long overdue expanding our tiny fleet & shouldering more responsability.
The ice is melting. It’s no accident Trump wants to buy Greenland. Pretty soon the shortest route to China and the Pacific will be the Russian north coast. Its good that Canada is building their T26 variant One look at a world map reinforces the UK’s strategic position as control point for access to the Atlantic, North and South. T31 would be an affordable and credible deterrent presence anywhere – 9000 mile range, big flight deck, Mk41. We need to deter Chinese expansionism in Africa. I would build another 5 in a heartbeat – no brainer – and that’s additions not replacements for the constabulary R2s.
The ice isn’t melting. The 2023-2024 ice season showed good gains especially on the Russian side of the Pole. Climate change is fiction.
Checkout the British Arctic Survey web site: or any other authoritative source. There’s no doubt the Arctic ice cap is melting as part of global climate change. That said, if by your comment you are suggesting that we are overreacting with religious net zero zeal I would agree.
We did more than our share in Iraq.
Somebody else’s turn.
Besides the Americans, Nobody else is stepping up.
NATO suffers from the tragedy of the commons. No one country feels much responsibility (sans the USA).