World · Europe · 20 hrs ago
Sixth US destroyer is due to arrive at Rota on October 15
The US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS John Basilone is due to arrive at the naval base at Rota, in Cádiz, Spain, on October 15.
It is moving its home base from Mayport, Florida, to Rota.
The ship is the sixth and final US destroyer planned for the base as part of NATO’s missile shield.
Four destroyers were based there in 2014 and 2015, and the Oscar Austin arrived in 2024.
The two additional ships were agreed by US President Joe Biden and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at a NATO summit in Madrid in 2022.
The John Basilone has an AEGIS radar system and can operate in waters around Europe and Africa.
More than 300 crew members, along with their families, are expected to join the US community at the jointly used base, where about 6,000 Americans already live.
The USS John Basilone, the sixth US destroyer assigned to Rota, is due to arrive on October 15.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will move its home base from Mayport, Florida, to Rota, Spain.
Its arrival is intended to complete the US contribution to NATO’s missile shield at the base.
More than 300 crew members are expected to arrive with the ship.
The jointly used base is home to about 6,000 Americans, including military personnel, civilians and their families.
- Who
- The US Navy’s USS John Basilone, with more than 300 crew members.
- What
- The sixth US destroyer assigned to Rota is due to arrive there.
- When
- October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Rota naval base in Cádiz, Spain.
- Why
- To complete the US contribution to NATO’s missile shield at the base.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Four US destroyers were based at Rota.
Joe Biden and Pedro Sánchez agreed at the NATO summit in Madrid to add two destroyers.
The USS Oscar Austin arrived at Rota.
The USS John Basilone is due to arrive at Rota.
- Ship
- USS John Basilone (DDG-122)
- Class
- Arleigh Burke
- Expected arrival
- October 15, 2026
- Previous home base
- Mayport, Florida
- Crew
- More than 300
- Base community
- About 6,000 Americans, including military personnel, civilians and their families
Sources
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