Destroyer Squadron 15
| Destroyer Squadron 15 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1920–Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Destroyer Squadron |
| Part of | U.S. Seventh Fleet |
| Garrison/HQ | United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka |
| Motto(s) | ”Champion of Freedom” |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | CAPT Jeffrey A. Bennett II |
Destroyer Squadron 15 is a squadron of United States Navy Arleigh Burke class destroyers based at Yokosuka, Japan.
History
Destroyer Squadron Fifteen was originally founded in 1920 as a reserve fleet unit. The Squadron was disestablished in 1922 and another Destroyer Squadron was re-designated as Destroyer Squadron Fifteen in 1928. That Destroyer Squadron was then re-designated as Destroyer Squadron 5 in 1931.
Following the U.S. Entry into World War II, Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN was re-established and fought in Mediterranean battles during the war. In 1945, the Squadron was converted to Destroyer Minesweepers and was again re-designated this time as Mine Squadron 21. In 1946 the Destroyer Squadron was re-activated in the Pacific Fleet but was decommissioned briefly in 1950. Later the same year it was reestablished due to the Korean War. In 1971 the Destroyer Squadron departed San Diego and became a permanently forward deployed Squadron stationed in Yokosuka, Japan.
The Squadron has taken part in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam conflict, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. [1]
Ships
The squadron consists of the following ships:[2]
- USS Barry (DDG-52)
- USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54)
- USS John S. McCain (DDG-56)
- USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62)
- USS Stethem (DDG-63)
- USS Benfold (DDG-63)
- USS McCampbell (DDG-85)
- USS Mustin (DDG-89)
The squadron is permanently assigned to Task Force 70 (Battle Force, Seventh Fleet), which has operational control of all carrier strike groups and independently deployed cruisers, destroyers and frigates that deploy or transit through the 7th Fleet area of operations. The Task Force 70 Commander also serves as Commander, Carrier Strike Group 5 which includes the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).[3][4]