About

The mission of Commander, Destroyer Squadron ONE is to direct, oversee and assist the ships of the squadron in achieving and maintaining the highest level of material, operational and personnel readiness.

When required, they shall exercise command over ships assigned for naval operations in order to achieve sea and air control in pursuit of national objectives. Function as Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC), for assigned ships and prepare them for sustained combat operations at sea. Prepare ships for assignment to operational commanders as directed by Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific Fleet and Commander Third Fleet. Maintain ISIC responsibilities throughout the life cycle of the ship, regardless of location or operational control, except in circumstances where otherwise directed. Provide administrative and material support that will include, but not be limited to: personnel support, OMBUDSMAN program support, SRA, ROH and other maintenance availability planning and administrative assistance.

The key to the Squadron mission is to support the Operational Commander in achieving optimum combat readiness for their ships and to ensure adherence to Type Commander (TYCOM) requirements. As such, the Squadron Commander will be required to conduct continuous, extensive liaison and coordination with the assigned Operational Commander.

Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, a cornerstone of America’s defense of the seas, enters the history books in 1919. The squadron has supported a wide range of missions and been renamed several times throughout its history, but has always maintained a tradition of excellence.

The squadron’s creation comes during a time when the United States Navy was mass-producing destroyers in the hundreds, and 21 years after Congress authorized the construction of the first 16 destroyers. Beyond the squadron’s initial 1919 formation there is little recorded until 1937, when eight Farragut-class destroyers and a flagship, Porter-class destroyer USS Phelps (DD 360), were formally organized and established as DESRON 1, headquartered in the Pacific. The reason for this gap were arms limitations agreements signed by multiple countries in 1922 and 1930, restricting the gross tonnage of their respective navies, effectively halting American destroyer production.

In 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, DESRON 1 was present throughout America’s involvement in World War II, with the squadron’s ships participating in notable Pacific Theater events such as the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal and Philippine Sea.

By 1945, DESRON 1 ships had earned a reputation of excellence, earning a total of 97 service stars for their achievements in the Pacific. In March of that same year, DESRON 1 integrated with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 5.

Post World War II, DESRON 1 detached from DESRON 5 and was once again a standalone squadron, further distinguishing themselves during the Korean War and Taiwan Strait Patrols.

In January 1958, the squadron was again re-designated, this time as Reserve Destroyer Squadron (RESDESRON) 27.

Throughout the 1970s the squadron carried out its duties and operations, and underwent another name change in1980 as Surface Squadron (SS) 1.

In Oct. 1993, the squadron became known as DESRON 1 once again, a name which remains to this day.

Over the many years of service, DESRON 1 ships have distinguished themselves both as independent assets and as part of larger Carrier Strike Groups. They have deployed nearly the entire breadth of the globe, operating in the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility, to include counter-drug missions in South America and various operations in the Caribbean.

In more recent history, DESRON 1 conducted Western Pacific deployments to U.S. 7th Fleet in 2017 and 2018 and participated in the multi-national exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018.

In August 2021, DESRON 1 deployed with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and the Carrier Air Wing of the Future to conduct freedom of navigation operations and exercises with allied partners in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

DESRON 1 is assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet and is currently comprised of five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers: USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Mustin (DDG 89), USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).

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