| Destroyer Squadron 15/Task Force 71 | |
|---|---|
_insignia,_2020.png) | |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Destroyer Squadron |
| Part of | COMSURFPAC |
| Garrison/HQ | United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka |
| Motto(s) | ”Champion of Freedom” |
| Website | https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/cds15/ |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | CAPT Justin Harts |
| Deputy commander | CAPT David Huljack |
Destroyer Squadron 15 is a squadron of United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.
DESRON FIFTEEN is the U.S. Navy's largest Destroyer Squadron and is responsible for the readiness, tactical and administrative responsibilities for nine Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. The Destroyer Squadron Commodore serves as the Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC) of the ships assigned to the squadron. DESRON FIFTEEN ships are the principal surface combatants of Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. In addition to duties as ISIC for the ships assigned to the squadron, the DESRON FIFTEEN staff also deploys with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG). During these deployments, the Deputy Commodore serves as Sea Combat Commander (SCC) for the CSG. The SCC responsibilities include Surface Warfare Commander (SUWC), Anti Submarine Warfare Commander (ASWC), Maritime Intercept Operations Coordinator (MIO), Mine Warfare Coordinator (MIW), and Submarine Operational Controlling Authority (SOCA) (responsible for coordinating employment of attack submarines assigned to the CSG).
DESRON FIFTEEN has additional assignments in the Seventh Fleet as Commander, Task Force 71 (CTF-71) the Theater Surface Warfare Commander (TSUWC), Maritime Counter Special Operations Force Commander (MCSOF), Strike Force ASW Commander (SFASWC) and Deputy Ballistic Missile Defense Commander (BMDC).[1]
Destroyer Squadron Fifteen was founded in 1920 as a reserve fleet unit. The squadron was disestablished in 1922 and another destroyer squadron was re-designated as Destroyer Squadron Fifteen in 1928. That squadron was then re-designated as Destroyer Squadron 5 in 1931.
Following the U.S. entry into World War II, Destroyer Squadron Fifteen was re-established and fought in Mediterranean battles during the war. In 1945, the squadron was converted to destroyer minesweepers and was again re-designated this time as Mine Squadron 21. In 1946 the squadron was re-activated in the Pacific Fleet but was decommissioned briefly in 1950. Later the same year it was reestablished due to the Korean War. In 1971 the squadron departed San Diego and became a permanently forward deployed squadron stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. Since this time, DESRON FIFTEEN has served as the Sea Combat Commander for the USS Midway (CV-41), USS Independence (CV-62), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS George Washington (CVN-73), and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) Carrier Strike Groups, forward deployed to the Western Pacific.
Destroyer Squadron 15 has taken part in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.[2]
The squadron was assigned to Task Force 70 (Battle Force, Seventh Fleet), which had operational control of all carrier strike groups and independently deployed cruisers, destroyers, and frigates that deployed or transited through the 7th Fleet area of operations from 1971 to 2021. In 2021, Commander, U.S. SEVENTH Fleet dissolved Battle Force SEVENTH Fleet and re-designated Commander, Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN as Commander, Task Force 71 - Theater Surface Warfare Commander for the SEVENTH Fleet Area of Responsibility.
Today, Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN, as Theater Surface Warfare Commander exercises control of the Guided Missile Destroyers assigned to the squadron as well as all independent deployments of US Cruisers, Destroyers, and US Coast Guard Cutters deployed to the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility. DESRON 15 is also the lead coordinating authority for all allied and partner nation Cruiser/Destroyer Surface Action Group operations throughout the AOR and regularly deploys its ships alongside the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal Navy, and the navies of dozens of other partner nations. In addition to these duties, DESRON FIFTEEN still provides Sea Combat Commander duties to CTF70, embarked in USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).
The squadron consists of the following ships:[3]