U.S. Navy sends guided-missile destroyer to Japan

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The Alreigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold left for Yokosuka, Japan from San Diego to join the U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy announced on Tuesday.

Benfold's mission is to enhance the presence in the 7th Fleet as part of the U.S. military's plan to reinforce the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. As a guided-missile destroyer, Benfold adds ballistic missile defense capabilities to the fleet.

The U.S. Navy is aiming to station their most capable ships to the 7th Fleet, allowing for rapid response times if and when the need arises. Additionally, the ship will participate in maritime security operations and training exercises with allies. Cmdr. Michele Day, Benfold's commanding officer, says his team is proud to join the Forward Deployed Forces family in Japan.

"After a demanding shipyard period and training cycle, our Sailors are anxious to have an opportunity to prove their abilities among some of the most capable ships in our Navy. We look forward to the waterfront camaraderie and sense of community in Yokosuka," Day said in a statement.

Benfold's trip to Japan follows the arrival of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan to Yokosuka, Japan. Like Benfold, the carrier was sent to reinforce the security forces in the country, bolstering defensive capabilities for the 7th Fleet.

The U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the U.S. Navy's forward deployed fleets, comprised of 60 to 70 ships, 150 to 200 aircraft, and about 40,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel. The fleet is tasked with defending and supporting the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Self Defense Force.