USS John Basilone docks at Rota, completing Spain's six-destroyer fleet

On 15 October, the US Navy’s USS John Basilone (DDG-122), a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, arrived at Spain’s Rota Naval Base, bringing the total number of US guided-missile destroyers stationed in Cádiz province to six. The vessel, previously home-ported at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, was welcomed with a ceremony at Pier 1 hosted by the Spanish Navy. This move fulfills the defense pact agreed at the June 2022 NATO summit in Madrid between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, which called for expanding Destroyer Squadron 60 from four to six ships.

The John Basilone’s deployment adds over 300 sailors and their dependents to the American community of about 6,000 personnel, civilian contractors, and families already living around Rota and the Bay of Cádiz. The destroyer, equipped with the Aegis combat system and capable of anti-air, anti-submarine, and surface warfare, entered active service on 9 November 2024. Its arrival follows the earlier arrival of USS Oscar Austin in October 2024, completing the planned expansion.