USS Benfold

Built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Benfold is the 15th of a planned 90 Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. Named for posthumous Korean War United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Clyde Benfold, she joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet for service on 30 March 1996. Equipped with the Aegis air-defense system and the Mark-41 Vertical Launch System for multiple types of guided missiles, Benfold is capable of defensive and offensive operations against warplanes, anti-ship missiles, surface ships, submarines, and shore targets. In addition to her missiles, she carries one 5-inch rapid-fire naval gun for action against surface ships and for shore bombardment. She also carries anti-submarine torpedoes, and two Phalanx CIWS anti-missile guns. She has a flight deck for MH-60R/S Seahawk Helicopters and is capable of refueling and re-arming these helicopters, but she does not have a hangar for storing and maintaining helicopters. Modernization 2011 In 2011, Benfold entered drydock at BAE Systems, San Diego to receive an extensive $32 million mid-life upgrade. The hull mechanical and electrical (HM&E) upgrades included a fully integrated bridge, improved machinery and damage control, quality of life improvements, an advanced galley, and commercial-off-the-shelf computing equipment. Modernization 2013 In 2013, Benfold underwent extensive combat systems upgrades to include the installation of Aegis Baseline 9C, Ballistic Missile Defense version 5.0, A(V) 15 SONAR Suite, and also became Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) capable. ==Service history==

Deployments • 14 August 1997 to 19 February 1998 – Persian Gulf • 18 June 1999 to 17 December 1999 – Pacific Ocean/Persian Gulf • 13 March 2001 to 15 September 2001 – Gulf • 18 October 2004 to 1 March 2005 • 13 September to 2006 13 March 2007 • 4 May 2008 to 3 November 2008 • 8 September 2009 to 16 March 2010 • 15 June 2012 to 11 January 2013 – Persian Gulf • 2 October 2015 to present - U.S. 7th Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan Naval exercises 2012 In 2012, Benfold was the first San Diego–based naval ship invited to participate in the Koa Kai naval exercises. Benfold conducted integrated flight operations, anti-surface and anti-submarine training, dynamic ship maneuvers, ballistic missile defense, small boat attacks and Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) utilizing the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team. Collision On 19 November 2017 Benfold was involved in a minor collision with a Japanese commercial tug off Sagami Bay. The tug lost power and drifted into Benfold, causing damage described as minimal, with some scraping to the ship's side. There were no injuries reported on either vessel; Benfold continued at sea, while the tug was towed to Yokosuka. Freedom of Navigation operations Benfold has conducted the following Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) in the South China Sea: • 12 July 2021 – Paracel Islands • 8 September 2021 – Spratly Islands • 18 January 2022 – Spratly Islands • 20 January 2022 – Paracel Islands • 13 July 2022 – Paracel Islands • 16 July 2022 – Spratly Islands In 2022, Benfold was praised by Seventh Fleet leadership as an exemplar of good ship preservation. On 6 August 2023, Benfold and three other destroyers responded to a joint Chinese-Russian patrol in international waters near Alaska. The Chinese–Russian flotilla left without incident. On 9 August 2023, the Navy announced plans to extend the ship's service life beyond the initial 35 years, intending to keep Benfold in service until at least 2036. The Navy has announced plans to rotate Benfold to Everett, Washington, replacing her in Japan with . == Awards ==

• 2003–2004 – USS Arizona Memorial Trophy Award, for "superior performance in combat readiness and battle efficiency." • 1998 – Spokane Trophy • Navy Unit Commendation for 01-Oct-1997 to 30-Apr-1998 2009, 2018, 2021, and 2022. == References ==