USS Benfold (DDG 65) returned to her homeport of Naval Station Everett, Oct. 16, following more than 8-months of operations supporting regional security and operations in the Indo-Pacific.
After departing San Diego on Feb. 1, Benfold conducted operations to strengthen regional stability and partnerships, demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s long-term commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Benfold steamed more than 20,000 nautical miles across the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations. The crew executed three ammunition transfers with zero mishaps and successfully on-loaded in excess of 1 million gallons of F-76 fuel during 10 refueling events, including four underway replenishments with allied and partner nations. These complex logistics maneuvers supported the ship’s safe transit through the Mindoro and San Bernardino straits, alongside three critical transits of the Luzon Strait.
“The success of this deployment is a direct result of this crew’s ability to integrate rapidly and operate at the highest tactical level,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Rebecca M. Conti-Vock, commanding officer of Benfold. “I watched this crew successfully overcome difficult circumstances, support each other, and execute critical national tasking like true professionals. Their grit, technical skill, and commitment to the mission and to each other have been nothing short of inspiring.”
After departing San Diego on Feb. 1, Benfold conducted operations to strengthen regional stability and partnerships, demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s long-term commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Benfold steamed more than 20,000 nautical miles across the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations. The crew executed three ammunition transfers with zero mishaps and successfully on-loaded in excess of 1 million gallons of F-76 fuel during 10 refueling events, including four underway replenishments with allied and partner nations. These complex logistics maneuvers supported the ship’s safe transit through the Mindoro and San Bernardino straits, alongside three critical transits of the Luzon Strait.
“The success of this deployment is a direct result of this crew’s ability to integrate rapidly and operate at the highest tactical level,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Rebecca M. Conti-Vock, commanding officer of Benfold. “I watched this crew successfully overcome difficult circumstances, support each other, and execute critical national tasking like true professionals. Their grit, technical skill, and commitment to the mission and to each other have been nothing short of inspiring.”
While in U.S. 7th Fleet Benfold regularly integrated with joint and partner nation components, including forces from Canada, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The crew participated in exercises Valiant Shield 2026 and Freedom Edge, which have grown in scale, scope, and complexity. These combined operations increased interoperability, information-sharing, and access to support our allies and partners. During these periods, Benfold also conducted the critical ballistic missile defense mission.
These bilateral and multilateral operations at sea pave the way for key strategic engagements in port. While visiting Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Philippines, Benfold deepened connections with regional allies. During a port visit to Busan, Republic of Korea, the ship hosted Republic of Korea Navy Vice Adm. Kwak Kwang-Seop, commander of the Republic of Korea Fleet, further building upon our strong relationships and demonstrating U.S. commitment in the region.
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.