The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), transits the Strait of Gibraltar and enters the Mediterranean Sea to conduct operations in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, Dec. 14, 2023.
Delbert D. Black’s presence demonstrates our commitment, flexibility and capability to operate throughout the region.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.
For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.
Delbert D. Black was launched on 8 September 2017. On 29 March 2019, the ship was damaged at the shipyard when a heavy-lift ship collided with a barge that was alongside the Delbert D. Black. The barge in turn struck the destroyer, resulting in several workers sustaining minor injuries and causing significant damage to the destroyer. The superstructure and hull were both breached and substantial internal spaces were flooded. Damages were estimated to be approximately $10–15 million USD. On 12 March 2020, the ship successfully completed acceptance trials, after spending two days at sea in the Gulf of Mexico.
Delbert D. Black left Mayport on 2 August 2022 for her maiden deployment as part of Carrier Strike Group 10.
On 29 September 2022, Delbert D. Black seized 7200 kilograms of hashish in the Gulf of Oman.
