The USS Mitscher was commissioned on December 10, 1994, transferred to her homeport in Norfolk, Virginia and has since made many Mediterranean deployments and participated in many Caribbean exercises.
In 2001, the USS Mitscher deployed with the carrier battle group centered on Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). During this deployment, USS Mitscher visited Algiers, Algeria and conducted joint training exercises with the Algerian Navy.
On 16 February 2007, USS Mitscher was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.
Beginning July 23, 2011, during its 2011 deployment, the strike group's anti-piracy capabilities was augmented by the addition of a U.S. Coast Guard 12-person Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT) embarked aboard the USS Mitscher.
These deployable Coast Guard boarding teams consisted of highly trained maritime law enforcement specialists capable of Level III non-compliant boardings. As the only organization in the U.S. government with the combined authority of a law enforcement agency, an intelligence agency, and a military service, they brought additional capabilities and expertise to Mitscher's embarked visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team.
The USS Mitscher's VBSS team and the AIT trained together between operations to enhance their joint boarding tactics, boat operation skills, and internal movements.
Facts & History: USS Mitscher
• On February 24, 2012, Commander Monika W. Stoker became the first African-American female to become the Commanding Officer of a United States Warship.
• 30 Knots
• Height: 66
• Length: 505'
• A permanent crew of 33 officers, 38 petty officers, and 210 enlisted personnel
