The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Gridley (DDG 101), returned home to Naval Station Everett August 11 after completing a seven-month deployment. The ship departed Everett in route to U.S. 7th Fleet on Dec. 30.
Gridley served with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 as an air defense and anti-submarine unit and as an escort for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
While in 7th Fleet, Gridley conducted multiple operations in the South China Sea, providing U.S. Navy presence to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. Gridley was also independently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to work with U.S. Coast Guard partners in counter-smuggling operations in the Gulf of Oman. As an air defense capable platform, Gridley also supported regional security missions. The ship conducted exercises and continued to build relationships with regional partners, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Pakistan. They also conducted a port visit in Karachi, Pakistan. During port visits to Bahrain and Karachi, Gridley sailors participated in various community relations projects and symposiums. Finally, Gridley participated in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022.
"I am tremendously proud of my Sailors and their accomplishments during this highly dynamic deployment, which featured new, demanding and often-changing mission sets," said Cmdr. Meghan Bodnar, commanding officer of USS Gridley. "They demonstrated an awe-inspiring level of tenacity, grit and sheer talent on a daily basis and it is truly an honor and a privilege to serve with them at sea."
Throughout the deployment, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 conducted hundreds of hours of flight operations while embarked on Gridley’s hangar bay. Gridley also supported joint helicopter operations with Pakistan, the UAE, and France.