Diyar Güldoğan
15 October 2026•Update: 15 October 2026
The USS Robert Smalls arrived at its new homeport, Naval Base San Diego, on Oct. 9, after a seven-month deployment supporting Navy operations across the Pacific, the US Navy said Thursday.
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser departed Japan on March 9 and operated with an air wing detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 51, supporting regional partnerships and US 7th Fleet missions, the Navy said in a statement.
Robert Smalls supported the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, the George Washington Carrier Strike Group and the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, while working alongside US allies and partners, it added.
“The crew of Robert Smalls performed with distinction throughout this deployment and homeport shift,” said Capt. Francisco Garza, the ship’s commanding officer.
Garza highlighted the crew’s performance during carrier sea trials, workups and certification, as well as its response to a sailor in need and its participation in complex air defense operations in the South China Sea. “I am incredibly proud of what this team accomplished,” he said.
Robert Smalls sailed more than 40,000 nautical miles across the US 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility and transited five strategic waterways during the deployment, according to the statement.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin arrived in Japan in March to replace Robert Smalls.
