USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) returns to Hawaii from 10-month deployment

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) returned to its home port of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Sept. 28, 2026, following a 10-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations (AO), including direct support to Operation Epic Fury.

Frank E. Petersen Jr. operated as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG), alongside Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112); with embarked staffs from Carrier Strike Group 3, Destroyer Squadron 21 and Carrier Air Wing 9.

Frank E. Petersen Jr. departed Hawaii Dec. 1, 2025, and joined ABECSG for operations in the 7th Fleet AO. The strike group conducted presence operations in the South China Sea to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance peace through strength.

ABECSG arrived in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in late January to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East.

“Every Sailor on this ship played a vital role in achieving our mission objectives. I am proud of each and every one for what we accomplished as a team,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Casey Mahon, commanding officer of Frank E. Petersen Jr. “Their dedication to duty, attention to detail, and unwavering professionalism ensured the success of our operations. I am grateful for their sacrifices and proud to lead such a capable and committed team.”

As the Integrated Air and Missile Defense commander for ABECSG, Frank E. Petersen Jr. provided ballistic missile defense while supporting U.S. Navy operations during Operation Epic Fury. The ship also supported the largest naval blockade in decades and helped preserve freedom of navigation through contested waterways. In April, Frank E. Petersen Jr. transited the Strait of Hormuz in support of blockade operations and mine detection efforts, helping ensure the strategically important waterway remained open to maritime traffic.

Over the course of 300 days, Frank E. Petersen Jr.’s crew conducted 45 replenishments-at-sea, sailed over 85,000 nautical miles, safely transferred over 7,544,486 gallons of F-76 fuel and 175,288 gallons of JP-5 fuel, and completed 1,094 hours of flight quarters.

“This deployment challenged us in many ways and required every Sailor to perform at their very best,” said Mahon. “Despite the pressures and complexities of our missions, the crew rose to the occasion every time, ensuring the safety, security, and strategic interests of our nation. Most importantly, the crew never gave up on the ship and never gave up on their shipmates.”

Frank E. Petersen Jr.’s crew conducted port calls in Guam; Duqm, Oman; Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory; and Sriracha, Thailand during their deployment.

The ABECSG consists of Abraham Lincoln; the embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9; Frank E. Petersen Jr., Spruance, and Michael Murphy; and more than 70 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the region and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute our Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations – from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster response. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the region.

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