USS John Basilone destroyer set to arrive at Spain's Rota naval base Thursday
The U.S. Navy's sixth Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS John Basilone, will dock at the Rota base in Cádiz on Thursday, expanding the advanced deployment force in Europe.
The USS John Basilone (DDG-122), the sixth Arleigh Burke-class destroyer assigned to the U.S. European advanced deployment fleet, will reach the Rota naval base in Cádiz on Thursday. The ship, commissioned in 2024 and named after Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sergeant John Basilone, brings advanced Aegis combat systems, the AN/SPY-6 active radar, vertical launch Mk 41 cells, Tomahawk cruise missiles and two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.
Its deployment completes the two-ship expansion agreed by President Pedro Sánchez and President Joe Biden at the 2022 NATO summit in Madrid. Officials slated to receive the vessel include Defence Minister Margarita Robles, Ambassador Benjamin León Jr., and Vice Admiral Jeffrey T. Anderson of the Sixth Fleet. The addition follows the October 2024 arrival of USS Oscar Austin and reflects the base’s role in NATO’s missile-defence shield and various regional missions.
Why it matters
The deployment strengthens NATO’s naval presence in Europe and underscores Spain’s strategic role in U.S. defense planning.
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