U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Delbert D Black Departs Israel After Eilat Port Visit
The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) departed the Israeli port of Eilat on February 1, following a scheduled port visit that highlighted U.S. and Israeli maritime cooperation in the Red Sea region.
Routine Visit Supports Maritime Partnership
USS Delbert D. Black, a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, concluded its planned stop in Eilat, Israel, after several days in port. The visit was part of standard cooperation activities between the U.S. Navy and the Israeli Navy, aimed at reinforcing longstanding security ties in the Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Aqaba and Red Sea maritime corridors.
Cmdr. Ezra T. Hatch, commanding officer of Delbert D. Black, said the visit underscores the durable partnership between the U.S. and Israel. During the call, ship leadership hosted tours for senior U.S. Embassy Jerusalem officials and Israeli Navy officers and conducted an official office call with the commander of Eilat Naval Base.
Ship’s Capabilities and Mission
Commissioned in September 2020 and named for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the destroyer brings multi-mission capabilities to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. It supports air and missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and naval fire support.
Delbert D. Black is currently deployed under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), contributing to maritime security, freedom of navigation and regional stability across roughly 2.5 million square miles of water, from the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Post-Visit Operations With Allies
Following the port departure, the destroyer conducted a routine maritime exercise with an Israeli Navy vessel in the Red Sea, reinforcing interoperability between the two navies. Joint drills such as these are part of ongoing efforts to align U.S. and Israeli naval operations in shared waters.
Strategic Context
Although the port visit was described by both navies as routine and pre-planned, it comes amid broader U.S. naval activity in the region. Other U.S. naval assets, including aircraft carrier strike groups, have shifted into the Middle East amid regional tensions. These movements reflect sustained U.S. efforts to maintain maritime security and deter threats in key chokepoints like the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Strait of Hormuz.
Why It Matters
USS Delbert D. Black’s Eilat visit underscores routine but important naval ties between the U.S. and Israel. Port calls support diplomatic engagement, give sailors rest and resupply time, and create opportunities for deeper military cooperation. Continued joint activities in the Red Sea illustrate ongoing U.S. commitment to stability and allied coordination in an area central to global commerce and security.
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