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USS Thomas Hudner US Guided-Missile Destroyer Deploys Its Force in Caribbean Sea.
The Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyer, USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), departed Naval Station Mayport, Florida, on February 18, 2025, for a mission in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. This deployment will take the ship to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR), where it will participate in various maritime security operations while strengthening regional partnerships.
The USS Thomas Hudner is ready to ensure maritime freedom of action in the Caribbean. (Picture source: US DoD)
During its mission, the Thomas Hudner will engage in bilateral and multinational maritime operations, supporting security cooperation (TSC) initiatives, and conducting port visits in the region. This mission aims to enhance maritime security and improve interoperability with partner nations across the vast USSOUTHCOM AOR.
Commander Cameron Ingram, commanding officer of the USS Thomas Hudner, expressed the crew's readiness for the deployment: “The crew of the USS Thomas Hudner is proud to answer the call for presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR. Our team is ready to ensure maritime freedom of action in the Caribbean, protect our interests throughout the region, and strengthen maritime partnerships.”
The Thomas Hudner had returned to Mayport, Florida, on January 4, 2024, after an eight-month deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations. During that mission, the ship was part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, supporting air defense operations off the coast of Israel. The destroyer also conducted joint missions with allies and partners and led a Surface Action Group in the English Channel to demonstrate advanced surface and subsurface warfare tactics.
The U.S. 4th Fleet operations are designed to enhance maritime security, access, and regional stability within the USSOUTHCOM AOR. This region covers 31 countries and 16 territories and areas of special sovereignty, including all of Latin America south of Mexico, waters adjacent to Central and South America, and the Caribbean Sea. The area represents about one-sixth of the landmass assigned to U.S. regional commands.
However, the USS Thomas Hudner will face several potential threats in this geographic area, including narcotrafficking activities and organized criminal groups, which can disrupt the region's stability. Additionally, the growing influence of countries like China and Russia in the area, particularly through military and commercial development initiatives, poses a strategic threat to the interests of the United States and its allies. Moreover, increasing tensions in certain maritime areas, particularly around the Caribbean and Central America, may present security challenges. In this context, the USS Thomas Hudner’s deployment aims not only to ensure freedom of navigation in these waters but also to deter any attempts at destabilization by malicious actors.
The U.S. Naval Forces Command, responsible for the training, equipping, and deployment of combat-ready forces, plays a crucial role in ensuring that ships like the USS Thomas Hudner are prepared to carry out these essential operations for regional security.
With this deployment, the USS Thomas Hudner continues its mission of protecting U.S. interests while strengthening international partnerships in the Western Hemisphere and contributing to stability in the face of growing regional threats.