USS Stout Departs Norfolk for Deployment Operations

The guided-missile destroyer USS Stout departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, yesterday, to begin deployment operations.

The warship's departure comes after months of training, maintenance and certification events.

"The crew of [the] USS Stout trained relentlessly to ensure our warship is prepared to execute prompt and sustained operations," said Navy Cmdr. Kevin Taylor, the USS Stout commanding officer. "We built a culture of sustained readiness and resilience and are fully prepared to sail forward, defend our nation's interests and execute our mission at the absolute highest standard of excellence."

The USS Stout is a multimission surface combatant capable of conducting anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations. Commissioned in 1994, it is the fifth warship of the Arleigh Burke class and belongs to the class's baseline Flight I configuration. The warship is named after World War II Navy Cross recipient Navy Rear Adm. Herald F. Stout, who heroically commanded the destroyer USS Claxton during the Battle of Bougainville in the Pacific.

Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, is responsible for manning, training and equipping assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable and combat-ready force to support U.S. national interests.