The U.S. Navy has deployed another destroyer to the southern border as part of an ongoing effort to combat illegal immigration and drug smuggling in coastal waters.
The USS Spruance, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, left Naval Base San Diego on Saturday to bolster maritime enforcement operations along the southern border. According to the Navy, the ship’s deployment is aimed at reinforcing territorial security and enhancing the military’s role in addressing transnational crime and maritime threats.
Expanding Naval Presence in Border Security
Officials emphasized that Spruance’s mission includes supporting interagency operations, countering maritime-based terrorism, disrupting weapons trafficking, and preventing unauthorized migration by sea.
“USS Spruance brings additional capability and expands our operational reach along the West Coast,” said Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). He noted that with the destroyer now positioned in the Pacific and the USS Gravely stationed in the Gulf of Mexico, the Navy is increasing its maritime presence to enforce national security policies and executive directives.
This latest deployment follows reports from the U.S. Coast Guard detailing a surge in migrant boat landings near San Diego in recent months, leading to an increase in naval and border enforcement resources.
Also Read – Trump Revokes Security Clearance for Biden, Harris, Clinton & Others
Mission Coordination and Coast Guard Support
To further strengthen enforcement efforts, the USS Spruance will operate alongside a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), a specialized unit responsible for maritime interdiction operations. Established in 1982, LEDETs play a crucial role in countering smuggling activities, preventing human trafficking, and conducting security operations in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Recent Deployment History
Prior to its current mission, Spruance returned to San Diego in December 2024 after a five-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. As part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, the destroyer operated in key waterways such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, providing defensive support and ensuring safe passage for commercial and allied vessels in regions affected by escalating tensions.
Now tasked with securing U.S. territorial waters, Spruance’s presence is expected to contribute to a comprehensive maritime strategy aimed at strengthening border security and countering evolving threats at sea .
