NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) returned to Naval Station Norfolk on Monday, where the vessel was met with cheers from family members of those on board.
Gravely’s return follows a nearly three-month long deployment for southern border operations, where it was tasked with assisting the U.S Coast Guard and homeland security to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and activity.
“Coast Guard law enforcement detachment on board, we shift our who we work for, essentially to the Coast Guard. We fly the Coast Guard flag, and then we’re able to do law enforcement operations as the Navy, which is not typically the way that it’s done for the Navy,” said Commanding Officer for the USS Gravely Gregory J. Piorun Jr.
Back in May, the USS Gravely along with the Coast Guard was alerted of a 20-foot boat that was possibly moving drugs. Upon investigation they seized 19 bales of cocaine, which weighed nearly 860 pounds and had an estimated value of $13.5 million.
“We got in in the way of where they were going. We used our image, 60 Romeo, to essentially compel them to stop,” said Piorun.
“And then we sent our law enforcement detachment on board to board, take control of the ship, and then seize all of the narcotics which had been thrown overboard.”
Once the vessel had docked, family members were allowed on board to greet their loved ones.
NORFOLK, Va. (June 9, 2025) – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) returns to Naval Station Norfolk, June 9, following a three-month deployment to U.S. Northern Command’s area of responsibility. Gravely deployed under USNORTHCOM’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs, illegal migration and other illegal activity. USNORTHCOM is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional military forces and capabilities to secure the southern border. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek Cole)
NORFOLK, Va. (June 9, 2025) – Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Jamal Najjar, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), greets his family, June 9, following a three-month deployment to U.S. Northern Command’s area of responsibility. Gravely deployed under USNORTHCOM’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs, illegal migration and other illegal activity. USNORTHCOM is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional military forces and capabilities to secure the southern border. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek Cole)
NORFOLK, Va. (June 9, 2025) – Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Anthony Jim, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), poses for a photo with his partner, June 9, following a three-month deployment to U.S. Northern Command’s area of responsibility. Gravely deployed under USNORTHCOM’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs, illegal migration and other illegal activity. USNORTHCOM is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional military forces and capabilities to secure the southern border. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek Cole)
NORFOLK, Va. (June 9, 2025) – Logistics Specialist 1st Class Richard Feliciano, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), greets his family, June 9, following a three-month deployment to U.S. Northern Command’s area of responsibility. Gravely deployed under USNORTHCOM’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs, illegal migration and other illegal activity. USNORTHCOM is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional military forces and capabilities to secure the southern border. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek Cole)
NORFOLK, Va. (June 9, 2025) – Logistics Specialist 1st Class Richard Feliciano, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), embraces his son, June 9, following a three-month deployment to U.S. Northern Command’s area of responsibility. Gravely deployed under USNORTHCOM’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs, illegal migration and other illegal activity. USNORTHCOM is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional military forces and capabilities to secure the southern border. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek Cole)
NORFOLK, Va. (June 9, 2025) – Logistics Specialist 1st Class Richard Feliciano, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), kisses his wife, June 9, following a three-month deployment to U.S. Northern Command’s area of responsibility. Gravely deployed under USNORTHCOM’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs, illegal migration and other illegal activity. USNORTHCOM is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional military forces and capabilities to secure the southern border. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek Cole)
