USS McFaul Departs Naval Station Norfolk for Scheduled Deployment
26 November 2025
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) departed Naval Station Norfolk for a regularly scheduled deployment Nov. 25, 2025.
The ship’s departure comes after months of training, maintenance, and certification events, which ultimately prepared the ship for a multitude of operations.
“USS McFaul is a combat-ready warship, and our Sailors have trained hard and are well-prepared to go over the horizon in support of our nation’s tasking,” said Cmdr. Adam Samson, commanding officer of USS McFaul. “McFaul represents the strength and readiness our Fleet brings to our nation.”
USS McFaul is a multi-mission guided-missile destroyer capable of air warfare (AW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), naval surface fire support (NSFS), and surface warfare (SUW). The ship carries approximately 300 Sailors.
Commissioned on April 25, 1998, USS McFaul is named in honor of Chief Petty Officer Donald L. McFaul, who gave his life for his comrades and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for service with Seal Team FOUR.
“McFaul is a highly capable and lethal warship that we proudly deliver to Fleet and Component Commanders for global force employment,” said Capt. Bryan Carmichael, commodore of Commander Naval Surface Group Middle Atlantic. “The McFaul crew has undergone extensive training to be ready on arrival, fully prepared to ensure maritime security, protect national interests, and project power across the Atlantic and around the world.”
U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime ready forces to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.
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