USS Michael Murphy Returns to Pearl Harbor Following an 11-Month Combat Deployment

Official Statements

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), with embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 Detachment 2, returned to its homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii following an 11-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 7th, and 5th Fleet areas of operations, highlighted by sustained combat actions during Operation Epic Fury, Nov. 12.”

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “Michael Murphy departed Pearl Harbor Dec. 1, 2025, operating as part of Carrier Strike Group 3 (CSG) 3 under Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, operating alongside flagship Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9.”

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “Michael Murphy entered the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in late January 2026, where the warship served on the front lines of Operation Epic Fury. In recognition of extraordinary heroism and combat achievement while executing dozens of Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile strikes and defending against hostile drone and missile attacks, USS Michael Murphy and its crew were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) and the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR).”

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “The Sailors of Michael Murphy demonstrated unmatched grit, professionalism, and warfighting excellence during this deployment,” said Cmdr. David Nicolas, commanding officer of Michael Murphy. “Whether defeating incoming air and surface threats or leading operations through contested choke points, this crew never hesitated. They answered every call of our nation, defended our allies, and lived up to the heroic namesake. I could not be prouder of this crew.”

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “Throughout the deployment, Michael Murphy played an essential role in enforcing the first naval blockade in 60 years, operating in the North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz. Serving as Surface Action Group Commander for Task Force 50 (TF-50), Michael Murphy commanded and coordinated the defense of 14 coalition and U.S. vessels, including destroyers, Littoral Combat Ships, six U.S. Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters, and logistics fleet oilers.”

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “The ship completed 12 contested transits of the Strait of Hormuz under threat of surface, air, and mine attack, escorting four merchant tankers to safety.”

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “Over the course of the 11-month deployment Michael Murphy remained in theater and continued to operate under TF-50 leadership, alongside the staffs, ships, and aircraft of CSG-10 and CSG-5. The warship steamed more than 97,000 nautical miles, conducted 43 replenishments-at-sea and eight combat in-port refuelings, transferring over 8 million gallons of F-76 marine diesel fuel and 2 million gallons of JP-5 jet fuel. The ship safely received 1,100 pallets of food, stores, repair parts, and mail under combat conditions.”

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “The air detachment of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 Detachment 2 flew 330 sorties and over 900 mishap-free flight hours, including 273.4 combat flight hours. While operating in U.S. 7th Fleet, Michael Murphy conducted theater surface and anti-submarine operations in the South China and Philippine Seas, assuring allies and providing deterrence to our adversaries.”

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the region and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute our Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations - from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster response. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the region. For more news from U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/COM-US3rdFleet. ”

• Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, November 12: “For more information on Carrier Strike Group 3 and Michael Murphy’s deployment, please visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/ABECSG or Michael Murphy’s unit page at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/DDG112.”