YOKOSUKA, Japan - The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold departed Yokosuka Naval Base on Sept. 29, 2025, concluding a decade-long assignment in the Western Pacific and beginning its journey to its new homeport in Washington state, the Navy announced.
The Benfold’s decade in Japan saw the ship regularly participate in multinational exercises – including Malabar, valiant Shield, Keen Sword and Resolute Dragon – and conduct operations vital to maintaining freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region. The ship logged over 4 million miles across the Pacific during its deployment. The move reflects a routine ship swap strategy employed by the Navy, often sending its most advanced vessels to the Indo-Pacific due to ongoing activity by China, North Korea, and Russia.
Arriving in 2015, the Benfold was among the Navy’s most advanced destroyers at the time, equipped with the newest version of the Aegis Combat System. While based in Yokosuka, it undertook at least three transits of the taiwan Strait and one through the South China Sea, asserting the right to passage through international waterways – actions that drew condemnation from China as violations of its sovereignty.
“Over the last decade, Benfold and her crew have executed our nation’s tasking with strength and excellence,” said Rear Adm. Derek Huljack, commander, Task Force 70/Carrier Strike Group 5. “We will miss Benfold’s grit and determination but look forward to her crew’s continued success in DESRON 31.”
The Benfold’s crew earned numerous accolades during its time in Japan, including three Battle efficiency “Battle E” Awards, the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy, the Chief of Naval Operations Afloat Safety Award, and 10 consecutive Fleet Health Promotion and Wellness “Green H” awards.
“Through tenacity and teamwork, Benfold’s decade assigned to the Western Pacific has allowed our crew to build on the ship’s great accomplishments,” said Cmdr. Rich Mayer, the Benfold’s skipper.”benfold is leaving the Seventh Fleet family on a high note. Our families will miss Japan, and we will miss sailing alongside one of our nation’s strongest allies.”
