The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the deployment of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gravely to reinforce border security operations, highlighting a growing emphasis on maritime interdiction efforts in the Gulf of America.
The USS Gravely departed Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia, on March 15, 2025, en route to U.S. Northern Command’s (Northcom) area of operations (AOR). The mission aligns with ongoing federal initiatives to secure territorial waters and disrupt illegal activities, including drug trafficking.
Pentagon officials emphasized the strategic importance of the deployment.
“It’s not only vital for the United States to have control of our border via land,” said Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell. “It’s equally important to control our territorial waters, and this deployment directly supports U.S. Northern Command’s mission to protect our sovereignty.”
USS Gravely to Lead Maritime Drug Interdiction
According to Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Joint Staff Director for Operations, the destroyer will play a key role in drug interdiction missions.
“[USS Gravely] will go down [to] the Gulf of America and surrounding areas and be involved in the interdiction mission for many of the drugs … that are coming in,” Grynkewich stated.
To enhance interdiction efforts, the USS Gravely will host a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment (LEDET), a specialized unit known for conducting maritime security operations.
“Founded in 1982, Coast Guard LEDETs carry out a variety of maritime interdiction missions, including counter-piracy [efforts], military combat operations, alien migration interdiction, military force protection, counter-terrorism, homeland security and humanitarian response,” reads a Northcom press release.
Joint Task Force-Southern Border Activated for Enhanced Border Operations
Alongside the USS Gravely’s deployment, the Pentagon activated Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) to consolidate and synchronize military operations at the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to a Northcom statement, JTF-SB will assume authority over Joint Task Force-North (JTF-N), centralizing “full-scale, agile, and all-domain operations” aimed at sealing the southern border and repelling illegal activity.
“This is an important step in the whole-of-government efforts to seal the southern border and maintain U.S. sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, Northcom’s top commander.
DOD: Border Efforts Will Continue Until Full Control Is Achieved
The Department of Defense highlighted the progress made in curbing illegal crossings, reporting a 93% decrease in unauthorized entries.
Despite this success, Pentagon officials stressed that border security operations will continue until the U.S. reaches 100% operational control.
“The Department of Defense is proud to defend our homeland and the territorial sovereignty of the United States,” said Parnell.
The USS Gravely’s deployment and the activation of JTF-SB mark a significant expansion in the DOD’s role in border security, reinforcing the Biden administration’s broader efforts to enhance national security through coordinated military and law enforcement actions.
For the original announcement, visit the Department of Defense’s official statement here.