USS Higgins deploys
SAN DIEGO - Aegis guided-missile destroyer, USS Higgins (DDG 76) will depart Naval Station San Diego Thursday, July 16 for a scheduled seven-month deployment.

Media wishing to cover the departure of Higgins should contact the Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs office by 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, at (619) 437-2735.

Higgins commanding officer is Cmdr. Carl W. Meuser and falls under the command of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23 led by Capt. Troy A. Stoner.

Higgins will participate in multi-national exercises, patrols and training missions. Higgins is part of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations.

Aegis destroyers are fast warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups, and underway replenishment groups.

Higgins' mission during the deployment will directly support the U.S. Maritime Strategy by focusing on joint and international partnerships across a range of operations through forward presence, deterrence, freedom of the world's sea lanes, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.