USS Gettysburg Returns After SOUTHCOM Deployment

The guided‑missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG‑64) returned to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on March 23, 2026, after completing a five‑month deployment in support of U.S. Southern Command missions.

Moreover, the ship’s return marked the end of its extended operations in the Caribbean Sea and surrounding waters, where it supported regional security and counter‑narcotics efforts.

Notably, the Ticonderoga‑class cruiser left Norfolk in late October 2025 as part of a broader initiative known as Operation Southern Spear, a U.S. Southern Command mission focused on combating illicit trafficking and enhancing maritime security across the Western Hemisphere.

While deployed, USS Gettysburg and its crew worked alongside other U.S. naval forces to maintain stability in key sea lanes, deter transnational criminal activity, and support Joint Task Force operations in the region.

Families and friends gathered at the pier to welcome the sailors home, celebrating the ship’s safe return after months at sea.

In addition, the cruiser’s operations contributed to broader Southern Command objectives, which included disrupting narcotics trafficking and enhancing regional cooperation with partner nations.