US Navy USS Rafael Peralta guided missile destroyer has conducted operational deployment in Sea of Japan.

According to information released by the U.S. Navy on June 16, 2021, the USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer of the U.S. Navy has conducted operational deployment in the Sea of Japan.
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Quartermaster Seaman Morales Caceres, from Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, uses a gyrocompass to take a bearing aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115). (Picture source U.S. Navy)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer routinely operates across the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, maintaining the necessary readiness, flexibility and agility to respond to changes in the maritime environment.

the USS Rafael Peralta performed multiple evolutions to include a live-fire gunnery exercise, maritime strike operations, flight operations, Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) training and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training.

The Tomahawk strike team conducted a training exercise demonstrating the ship’s ability to track, target, and engage threats from the sea, air, or land in support of a range of mission areas. This training maintains tactical and technical proficiency, integrate updated tactics, and utilize best practices to safely employ tomahawk cruise missiles in support of U.S. 7th Fleet theater operations. Rafael Peralta also conducted a complete high-caliber live-fire exercise using the 5-inch/54 caliber gun, close-in weapons system (CIWS) rail gun, and Mk 38 25mm chain-fed machine gun.

These exercises train Sailors on the ship’s offensive and defensive capabilities against surface and air threats and are designed to address common maritime security priorities and concerns, enhance interoperability and communication, and develop relationships to mutually benefit U.S. forces in the future. Training environments enhance the credibility of conventional deterrence by demonstrating U.S. combat capabilities in live-fire training.

As a forward-deployed vessel, Rafael Peralta contributes to critical missions in support of regional peace and prosperity. Rafael Peralta conducts operations and exercises to uphold the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law.

Rafael Peralta is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force interacting with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict.

USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) is the 65th ship of its class and an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. This ship is a Flight IIA version in the Arleigh Burke-class family. She can conduct a variety of missions in support of the national military strategy. From peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. 

The USS Rafael Peralta is armed with one 5 inches (127 mm)/54 caliber Mk 45 naval gun, two 25 mm Mk 38 automatic cannons, four .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns, two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon Systems), two Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes for Mk 46 torpedo and 96-cell Mk 41 VLS (Vertical Launching System) able to fire RIM-66M Standard Surface-to-air Missile, BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile, and RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC anti-submarine missile.