USS Thomas Hudner

Construction and design

Thomas Hudner is the 66th ship of the Arleigh Burke class of guided-missile destroyers, the first of which, , was commissioned in July 1991. As an Arleigh Burke-class ship, Thomas Hudners roles include anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare, as well as strike operations. During its long production run, the class was built in three flights—Flight I (DDG-51–DDG-71), Flight II (DDG-72–DDG-78), and Flight IIA (DDG-79– ). Thomas Hudner was to be a "Technology Insertion" ship with elements of the next generation of Arleigh Burke class destroyers, called Flight III, and Flight III proper is planned to start with DDG-125.

In 2008, the U.S. Navy decided to restart production of the Arleigh Burke class as orders for the were reduced from thirty-two to three. The first three ships (DDG-113—DDG-115) ordered following the product decision are known as the "restart" ships, while "technology insertion" ships (DDG-116—DDG-123) were expected to incorporate certain elements of Arleigh Burke class Flight III, which in turn was planned to run from DDG-125 onwards.

Thomas Hudners keel was laid on 16 November 2015. Her christening took place on 1 April 2017, and she was launched three weeks later, on 23 April. She completed acceptance trials 3 May 2018, and on 15 June 2018, the Navy accepted delivery of Thomas Hudner from shipbuilder General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. Thomas Hudner was commissioned on 1 December 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Service history

2018–2022

, Thomas Hudner home port was Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

From July to August 2020, Thomas Hudner participated in Operation Nanook alongside vessels from the Canadian, French, & Danish navies.

On 20 February 2021 Thomas Hudner embarked on her maiden deployment, traveling over 45,000 nmi before returning to her home port on 17 July 2021. During her deployment, she made transits to the Black Sea, operated in the Mediterranean Sea with the and her battlegroup, and also took part in the annual BALTOPS exercise with NATO allies.

In September 2021 Thomas Hudner, along with her sister ship , participated in "Operation Cutlass Fury" with the Canadian and French navies. Later that month, she became a part of the newly formed Task Group Greyhound.

In November 2022 Thomas Hudner joined the new aircraft carrier as part of Carrier Strike Group Four operating in the Atlantic Ocean with multiple other nations. This was the carrier's first time leading a Strike Group. The Strike Group also included the , and her sister ships and . CSG 4 participated in a NATO Task Force Exercise along with ships from other NATO nations including , a of the Royal Canadian Navy, the FGS Hessen, a of the German Navy, and the , the lead ship for a class of air defense frigate. They arrived at Portsmouth, England, on 14 November 2022.

2023–present

On 8 October 2023, the day after the October 7 attacks, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, directed the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean in response. Along with the carrier, the group also included the cruiser , and the destroyers , , and Thomas Hudner.

On 15 November 2023, Thomas Hudner shot down a drone that was headed toward the ship, which was launched from Yemen.

On 23 November 2023, Thomas Hudner shot down multiple attack drones launched from Yemen.

On 4 January 2024, Thomas Hudner returned to Mayport after an eight-month deployment and sailing more than 60,000 miles.

In June 2025, Thomas Hudner was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean during the June 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran.

Awards

• Combat Action Ribbon - (October 2023 - April 2024)
• Navy Unit Commendation - (2021 (IKE CSG), Oct 2023 - May 2024)
• Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award - (2023)
• CNO Afloat Safety Award (LANTFLT)- (2020, 2023)

References

References

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