April 2025. Blues Vol 41 No.4

AROUND THE

AROUND THE COUNTRYNORFOLK, VA.U.S. Naval vessel deploys with Coast Guard Law Enforcementdetachment to the U.S.-Mexico border.By Matthew Holloway48 The BLUES - APRIL ‘25NORFOLK, VA. - Reporting releasedon Monday revealed thatPresident Donald Trump has escalatedthe military force that he isapplying toward border securityby assigning an Arleigh-BurkeClass Guided-Missile DestroyerU.S.S. Gravely to operate inU.S. territorial and internationalwaters in the Gulf of Americanear the border with Mexico witha Coast Guard maritime policingteam, known as a Law EnforcementDetachment (LEDET) stationedaboard ship.As reported by The Hill, NorthernCommand leader Gen. GregoryGuillot said in a statement,“Gravely’s sea-going capacityimproves our ability to protect theUnited States’ territorial integrity,sovereignty and security.” Headded, “This is an important stepin the whole-of-government effortsto seal the southern borderand maintain U.S. sovereignty andterritorial integrity.”Admiral Daryl Caudle, commander,U.S. Naval Forces NorthernCommand added, “The deploymentof Gravely marks avital enhancement to our nation’sborder security framework. Incollaboration with our inter agencypartners, Gravely strengthensour maritime presence and exemplifiesthe Navy’s commitment tonational security and safeguardingour territorial integrity withprofessionalism and resolve.”The Gravely is 509 feet in lengthand armed with an assortment ofTomahawk cruise missiles as wellas a Mark 45 5-inch Naval Gun,with an effective range of 15-60miles depending on Ammunition,the Phalanx Close-In WeaponSystem (CIWS): is 2 20mm,6-barrel Gatling gun guided byan automatic radar system with aterrifying fire rate of 4,500 roundsper minute and is typically deployedwith an embarked helicopteras well.Able to engage hostile forcesat a range of up to 1,500 milesinland with its missile complement,the Destroyer represents agame-changing level of firepowerbeing applied to combat drug andhuman smuggling operations bythe Mexican Cartels.As noted by The Hill, DefenseSecretary Pete Hegseth recentlydescribed the military’s placein border operations on a trip tothe border with Border Czar TomHoman, saying, “Any assets necessaryat the Defense Departmentto support the expulsion anddetention of those in the countryillegally are on the table.”In the U.S. Navy press release theFleet stated that Gravely’s deployment“highlights the Departmentof Defense and Navy’s dedicationto national security priorities,contributing to a coordinatedand robust response to combatingmaritime related terrorism,weapons proliferation, transnationalcrime, piracy, environmentaldestruction, and illegal seaborneimmigration.”

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