USS Mahan (DDG72)

USS Mahan (DDG-72) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on 14 February 1998. Named after Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, a noted naval historian and strategist, the ship has participated in various key operations, including maritime security patrols, ballistic missile defense, and multi-national exercises. USS Mahan has deployed multiple times to the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Atlantic Ocean, supporting missions such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Active Endeavor. The vessel gained attention in 2013 when it was involved in a standoff with Iranian boats in the Persian Gulf, demonstrating its ongoing role in safeguarding U.S. and allied interests worldwide.