USS Howard (DDG 83)

DESRON 15 holds change of command ceremony aboard USS Howard (DDG 83) at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan

260814-N-CL550-1360 U.S. Navy Capt. Neil Gabriel, second from right, relieves Capt. David Huljack, second from left, as commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 during a change of command ceremony on the flight deck of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Aug. 14, 2026. DESRON 15 is the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Taylor DiMartino)

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Photo By: Chief Petty Officer Taylor DiMartino

VIRIN: 260826-N-N0831-1020

Capt. Neil Gabriel relieved Capt. David Huljack as commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 during a change of command ceremony aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Aug. 14, 2026.

USS Howard (DDG 83) arrives at Shimoda, Japan for 87th annual Black Ship Festival

260514-N-CL550-1452 A local “black ship”-themed scenic tour boat transits as U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83), right, arrives at Shimoda, Japan for the 87th annual Black Ship Festival, May 14, 2026. The festival commemorates the 1854 arrival of Commodore Matthew C. Perry and his “black ships” to Shimoda, and the subsequent signing of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Peace and Amity marking the start of diplomacy and trade between both countries. Howard is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Taylor DiMartino)

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Photo By: Chief Petty Officer Taylor DiMartino

VIRIN: 260826-N-N0831-1018

Forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) departed Shimoda after a port visit, May 17, following participation in the city’s Black Ship Festival.

USS Howard (DDG 83) Change of Command Ceremony

251024-N-CL550-1057 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Oct. 24, 2025) – Members of the official party salute the colors during a change of command ceremony for U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Oct. 24, 2025. Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 is the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Taylor DiMartino)

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Photo By: Chief Petty Officer Taylor DiMartino

VIRIN: 260818-N-N0831-1013

Cmdr. Randy Hayes relieved Cmdr. Eric Smitley as commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) during a change of command ceremony at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Oct. 24, 2025.

Sailors aboard the USS Howard conduct a counter unmanned aerial surveillance exercise in the Philippine Sea

240331-N-CV021-1001 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 31, 2024) Lt. j.g. Forest Wan, from Ocean City, New Jersey, stands watch on the bridge wing aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) during a counter unmanned aerial surveillance exercise in the Philippine Sea, March 31. Howard is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexandria Esteban)

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Photo By: Petty Officer 3rd Class Alexandria Esteban

VIRIN: 240416-N-N0831-0016

YOKOSUKA, Japan. – Lt. j.g. Jeremy Douglass, navigator aboard USS Milius (DDG 69), and Lt. j.g. Forest Wan, communications officer aboard USS Howard (DDG 83), were both selected as Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 Junior Officer Shiphandlers (JOSH) of the Year, March 28th.

USS Howard (DDG 83) Pacific Vanguard Photoex

[230704-N-NY362-1243] PHILIPPINE SEA (July 4, 2023) From left, Republic of Korea destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great (DDG 976), Japanese Oyashio-class submarine (JDS) Yaeshio (SS 598), Japanese Asahi-class destroyer JS Shiranui (DD 120), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) sail in formation in the Philippine Sea during Pacific Vanguard 23, July 4. Pacific Vanguard is an opportunity for the four Indo-Pacific navies to strengthen their skills in maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, live-fire missile events, and advanced maneuvering scenarios in the Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC). The U.S. military routinely operates in designated land, air, and sea areas of the Mariana Islands to safely train military service members in equipment use, tactics, joint operations, and humanitarian aid missions. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Santiago Navarro)

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Photo By: Petty Officer 3rd Class Santiago Navarro

VIRIN: 230718-N-N0831-0002

Maritime forces from Royal Australia Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, and the U.S. Navy are underway July 4, conducting cooperative maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard (PV) 2023.

USS Higgins and USS Howard arrive in Japan, join DESRON 15

USS Higgins (DDG 76) moors alongside USS Howard (DDG 83) after arriving in Yokosuka, Aug. 16. (U.S. Navy/Roy Isobe)

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Photo By: CNSP

VIRIN: 210817-N-N0831-0004

USS Higgins (DDG 76) moors alongside USS Howard (DDG 83) after arriving in Yokosuka, Aug. 16. (U.S. Navy/Roy Isobe)

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 13, 2021) - The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard are conducting integrated operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of the Tri-Service Maritime Strategy.

USS Howard Change of Command

USS Howard Change of Command

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VIRIN: 210507-N-N0831-0001

SAN DIEGO, CA – Commander  Charles Harris relieved Commander  Walter Parker III as commanding