US Navy Cruiser USS Robert Smalls Returns To San Diego After 7-Month Pacific Deployment

The US Navy cruiser USS Robert Smalls arrived at Naval Base San Diego on October 9 after a seven-month deployment in the Pacific. During the deployment, the ship supported two US carrier strike groups and worked with naval forces from Australia and Japan.

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser left Yokosuka, Japan, on March 9, 2026. It travelled more than 40,000 nautical miles across the US 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility and passed through five strategic waterways, the US Navy said.

USS Robert Smalls supported the Abraham Lincoln and George Washington carrier strike groups, as well as the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. An air wing detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 51 also took part in the deployment.

The cruiser held several command and control roles for the Abraham Lincoln and George Washington carrier strike groups. These included alternate composite warfare commander, air and missile defence commander, and aircraft control unit.

The ship also served as the sole escort for a carrier during sea trials, workups and certification, according to its commanding officer, Capt. Francisco X. Garza.

During the deployment, USS Robert Smalls worked with three Australian warships and one Japanese warship as part of carrier strike group operations.

The cruiser completed 14 underway replenishments, including two with an Australian oiler and one with a US commercial tanker. These operations allowed the ship to receive supplies while at sea.

The crew also carried out air defence operations in the South China Sea and responded to a sailor in need, Garza said.

“The crew of Robert Smalls performed with distinction throughout this deployment and homeport shift,” he said, adding that he was proud of the team’s work.

The cruiser also returned to Da Nang, Vietnam, during the deployment. The Navy said the visit supported the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the United States and Vietnam, which covers political, security, economic and people-to-people ties.

The arrival in San Diego marks the end of USS Robert Smalls’ time based in Yokosuka, Japan. The move is part of a planned rotation of US Navy ships assigned to Forward-Deployed Naval Forces.

The Navy said the rotation is intended to comply with a federal law that limits forward deployments to 10 years.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin arrived in Japan in March 2026 to replace USS Robert Smalls.

The US 3rd Fleet, part of the US Pacific Fleet, oversees naval forces in its area of responsibility and provides training for missions ranging from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster response. It also works with allies and partners on freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and regional security.

The Navy has not announced USS Robert Smalls’ next deployment or operational assignment.

Reference: US Navy