Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 is the Navy's largest DESRON and is responsible for operational and tactical command for nine forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. The DESRON commodore serves as the Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC) of ships assigned to the squadron. DESRON 15 ships are the principal surface forces of U.S. 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. In addition to duties as ISIC for the nine ships assigned to the squadron, DESRON 15 also deploys with the George Washington Carrier Strike Group (CSG). During these deployments, DESRON 15 serves as Sea Combat Commander (SCC) for the CSG. SCC responsibilities include Surface Warfare Commander (SUWC), Anti-Submarine Warfare Commander (ASWC), Maritime Interdiction Operations Commander (MIO), Mine Warfare Coordinator (MIW), and Submarine Operational Controlling Authority (SOCA), which holds the responsibility for coordinating employment of attack submarines assigned to the CSG. DESRON 15 has additional assignments in the 7th Fleet as the Maritime Counter Proliferation Interdiction (MCPI) and Strike Group ASW Commander (SGASWC).

History

DESRON 15 was established in 1920 as a unit of the reserve fleet based at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Although the squadron was disestablished in 1922, an Atlantic Destroyer Squadron was redesignated DESRON 15 in 1928. Following patrol and training operations in the Pacific, DESRON 15 was redesignated DESRON 5 in 1931.

Following the declaration of war in 1941, DESRON 15 was again commissioned and fought in the battles for North Africa and Sicily. Additionally, the squadron participated in 19 round-trip convoy crossings of the Atlantic during the war. In 1945, the squadron converted to Destroyer Minesweepers (DMS) and was redesignated MINERON 21.

Reactivated in 1946 for service with the Pacific Fleet through 1949, the squadron was briefly disestablished during 1950. However, the squadron was again commissioned for service late in the same year following the outbreak of the Korean War and continues in commission today.

DESRON 15 departed San Diego in late October 1971 for permanent forward deployment to Yokosuka, Japan, as the destroyer squadron component of Battle Force, Seventh Fleet. Squadron combatants in service at that time included the destroyers USS Richard B. Anderson (DD 786), USS Bausell (DD 845), USS Gurke (DD 783), and USS Rowan (DD 782). DESRON 15 ships quickly established an enviable record of service, ranging the Pacific and Indian Oceans and serving off the coasts of many countries in support of national objectives. Squadron operations during the early to mid-1970s included combat operations off Vietnam and intermittent deployments to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.

In 1975, the older World War II era destroyers of DESRON 15 began to be replaced by newer Knox-class frigates USS Lockwood (FF 1064), USS Francis Hammond (FF 1067), USS Knox (FF 1052), and USS Kirk (FF 1087). By 1978, this conversion was completed, and in 1980, the guided-missile destroyer USS Parsons (DDG 33) was replaced by USS Towers (DDG 9). Squadron operations during the late 1970s and early 1980s were highlighted by ASW operations, support of contingency operations, and a number of deployments to the Arabian Gulf during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, and later, the Iran-Iraq war. Squadron combatants also participated in exercises with port visits to numerous countries throughout the region.

During the 1980s, the Spruance-class destroyers USS Fife (DD 991), USS Hewitt (DD 966), and USS Oldendorf (DD 972), as well as the Perry-class guided-missile frigates USS Curts (FFG 38), USS McClusky (FFG 41), USS Thach (FFG 43), and USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), replaced the aging Knox-class frigates. In 1989, the Spruance-class destroyer USS O’Brien (DD 975) replaced Oldendorf.

In addition to combat operations during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the squadron participated in initial enforcement of the no-fly zone over Iraq during Operation Southern Watch in 1992, the evacuation of the Republic of the Philippines following Mount Pinatubo’s eruption, and many operations and exercises with countries throughout the region. In the years following, DESRON 15 continued supporting national interests throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the Arabian Gulf.

Several scheduled ship rotations took place during the 1990s including the addition of the new Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG 49).

In addition to the assignment of new ship classes, the upgraded Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) replaced Rodney M. Davis and the Spruance-class destroyer USS Cushing (DD 985) replaced Fife. Also rotated, as planned, back to the United States were McClusky, Hewitt, and Curts. In 1999, the crew of the Perry-class guided-missile frigate Thach swapped hulls with the upgraded Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG 51). Thach then returned to the United States.

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks DESRON 15 conducted patrols to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2003, the DESRON again deployed to the Arabian Gulf, this time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2004 to 2007, Vincennes, Cushing and O'Brien were decommissioned and replaced by USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Stethem (DDG 63) and USS Lassen (DDG 82). Also, Vandegrift and Gary rotated back to the United States and were replaced by USS Mustin (DDG 89) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85). USS Benfold (DDG 65) joined DESRON 15 in 2015 after arriving in Yokosuka alongside the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group. In 2016, Lassen transferred to Mayport, Florida, and USS Barry (DDG 52) arrived in Yokosuka. In 2018, USS Milius (DDG 69) joined DESRON 15 after being fitted with the upgraded Aegis Baseline 9 combat system.

McCampbell departed DESRON 15 in 2020, returning briefly in 2024 before permanent assignment directly supporting Task Force 70. In 2021, Curtis Wilbur shifted homeports to San Diego after serving for 25 years in the theater, and Mustin departed Yokosuka after 15 years. The same year, DESRON 15 welcomed USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Dewey (DDG 105), USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), and USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) to Yokosuka.

DESRON 15 was assigned to Commander, Task Force 70 (Battle Force, Seventh Fleet) which held operational control of the carrier strike groups and independent deployers that were operating in 7th Fleet area of responsibility until 2021. In 2021, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet dissolved Battle Force, Seventh Fleet and redesignated DESRON 15 as Commander, Task Force 71. The primary mission was to serve as the Theater Surface Warfare Commander for 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS Shoup (DDG 86) arrived in Yokosuka in 2022, joining DESRON 15 until permanent assignment directly supporting Task Force 70 in 2024. In early 2023, Barry departed DESRON 15 and USS John Finn (DDG 113) arrived, the first new construction Aegis Baseline 9 ship.

In 2024, DESRON 15 was assigned back to Task Force 70, relinquishing assignment as Task Force 71. USS Preble (DDG 88) joined DESRON 15 that year, Benfold departed in 2025, and Mustin returned in 2026.

Today, DESRON 15 exercises control of Milius, Higgins, Howard, Preble, Mustin, Dewey, John Finn, Ralph Johnson, and Rafael Peralta, along with any independent deployers that operate in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to include allied and partner nation cruisers/destroyers surface action group operations. DESRON 15 frequently completes exercises, training evolutions, and staff exchanges with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, French Navy, Italian Navy, Netherlands Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, and Royal Navy, along with dozens of other partner nations. Additionally, DESRON 15 continues to hold Sea Combat Commander duties to Commander, Task Force 70 while embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Together, we continue to champion the cause of freedom and serve proudly in the Indo-Pacific as the Navy’s largest DESRON and 7th Fleet's principal surface force.