USS McFaul (DDG-74)

• Namesake Tribute: USS McFaul (DDG-74) is named after Chief Petty Officer Donald L. McFaul, a Navy SEAL posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroic actions during Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989. • Commissioning Date: The USS McFaul was commissioned on 25 April 1998 at Garden City Terminal in Savannah, Georgia. • Arleigh Burke-Class: McFaul is part of the Arleigh Burke-class of guided missile destroyers, known for their advanced Aegis Combat System and multi-mission capabilities. • Maiden Deployment: The ship’s first deployment was in 2000, supporting Operation Southern Watch and Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Persian Gulf. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: McFaul played a significant role during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, providing air defense and support for coalition forces. • Humanitarian Mission: In August 2008, McFaul delivered nearly 155,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to Batumi, Georgia, after the Russo-Georgian War. • Piracy Interdiction: In April 2010, McFaul helped rescue hostages from the MV Rising Sun, a dhow hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. • Firepower: The destroyer is equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, Standard surface-to-air missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and a 5-inch naval gun. • Homeport: The USS McFaul is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, serving as part of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. • Modernization: In recent years, McFaul has undergone significant upgrades, including the installation of new radar and missile systems to enhance ballistic missile defense capabilities.