USS Benfold returns home after Pacific deployment

The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold traveled over 20,000 nautical miles across U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) returns home to Naval Station Everett in Washington state on Oct. 16, 2026, after an 8-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd fleet area of operations. (Jonathan Estrada-Eguizabal/U.S. Navy) The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold returned to its homeport in Washington state on Friday, Oct. 16, after an eight-month deployment across the Pacific. Families and friends were present at Naval Station Everett to greet the sailors, who had initially departed from San Diego in February. “I watched this crew successfully overcome difficult circumstances, support each other, and execute critical national tasking like true professionals.

Their grit, technical skill, and commitment to the mission and to each other have been nothing short of inspiring,” said Cmdr. Rebecca M. Conti-Vock, commanding officer of Benfold. The Benfold traveled over 20,000 nautical miles across U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations. When operating with 7th Fleet, the Benfold participated in Valiant Shield and Freedom Edge, alongside partner and allied forces from Canada, Japan and South Korea. Friends and family greet sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold as the ship returns home to Naval Station Everett in Washington state on Oct. 16, 2026, after