Navy
GalleryUSS Fitzgerald returns to Naval Base San Diego after 7-month deployment
Stars and Stripes
January 8, 2026
Families await the arrival of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald as it returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego following operations in the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (Aja Bleu Campbell/U.S. Navy)
The USS Fitzgerald returned to its homeport at Naval Base San Diego after a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
Loved ones greeted the sailors on the pier as they returned on Tuesday, according to a service news release.
Chief Quartermaster Jeremy Kowalski greets his spouse with a traditional “first kiss” after USS Fitzgerald returns to its homeport at Naval Base San Diego on Tuesday. (Aja Bleu Campbell/U.S. Navy)
Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Lizbeth Guadarrama greets her family after USS Fitzgerald returns to its homeport at Naval Base San Diego. (Aja Bleu Campbell/U.S. Navy)
Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Bruce Salazar, from San Diego reunites with family after USS Fitzgerald’s return to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego. (Lordin Kelly/U.S. Navy)
Fire Controlman 2nd Class Joesiah Quinene greets his family after USS Fitzgerald returns to its homeport at Naval Base San Diego on Tuesday. (Aja Bleu Campbell/U.S. Navy)
Fire Controlman 2nd Class Wesley Leren, from West Salem, Wis., reunites with his significant other after the ship’s return to its homeport on Tuesday. (Lordin Kelly/U.S. Navy)
Families await the arrival of USS Fitzgerald as it returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego on Tuesday. (Aja Bleu Campbell/U.S. Navy)
Families of sailors assigned to the USS Fitzgerald wave and cheer as the ship returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego on Tuesday. (Lordin Kelly/U.S. Navy)
Sailors assigned to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald man the rails upon the ship’s return to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego. (Aja Bleu Campbell/U.S. Navy)
The USS Fitzgerald returns to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego on Tuesday. (Aja Bleu Campbell/U.S. Navy)
“I am truly proud of the hard work and dedication this crew has displayed daily throughout this seven month deployment,” said Cmdr. Paul F. Richardson III, commanding officer of the USS Fitzgerald, in the release. “Their resilience and professionalism enabled us to successfully execute every mission we were tasked with in multiple areas of operation. We are all excited to be home and reunite with our families and loved ones, whose unwavering support made this possible.”
During its deployment, the Fitzgerald conducted a wide range of operations including routine presence patrols and maritime security operations.
The ship also participated in several multinational exercises including MALABAR 2025 and SWARMEX 2025 with the navies of Australia, Bangladesh, Germany, India, Japan, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.