NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 22, 2026 — The guided-missile destroyer USS Stout departed Naval Station Norfolk on Sept. 21 for deployment after months of training, maintenance and certification events.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is a multimission surface combatant capable of conducting anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations.

Deployment Readiness

“The crew of [the] USS Stout trained relentlessly to ensure our warship is prepared to execute prompt and sustained operations,” said Navy Cmdr. Kevin Taylor, the USS Stout commanding officer. “We built a culture of sustained readiness and resilience and are fully prepared to sail forward, defend our nation’s interests and execute our mission at the absolute highest standard of excellence.”

Multimission Destroyer

Commissioned in 1994, USS Stout is the fifth warship of the Arleigh Burke class and belongs to the class’s baseline Flight I configuration. The destroyer is designed to conduct multiple naval warfare missions, including anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare operations.

Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic is responsible for manning, training, and equipping assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable and combat-ready force to support U.S. national interests.

USS Stout Through the Years

Commissioned Aug. 13, 1994, USS Stout is the fifth Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. The warship has operated across the U.S. Navy's 2nd, 5th and 6th Fleet areas during its service. In 2020, Stout deployed as part of Destroyer Squadron 26 and spent 215 consecutive days at sea, surpassing the Navy’s previous record of 206 days.

During that deployment, Stout operated in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas, conducting high-value-unit escort missions and providing layered defense for U.S. amphibious and carrier strike groups. The warship also conducted the Navy’s first-ever mid-deployment voyage repair period at sea, allowing significant repairs, preservation and preventive maintenance to be performed without a conventional port visit.

Photo credit: DoW

Named for Rear Adm. Herald F. Stout

USS Stout is named for Rear Adm. Herald F. Stout, who served in both World War II and the Korean War. During World War II, he commanded USS Claxton and served with Destroyer Squadron 23 in the Solomon Islands, earning two Navy Crosses. He later commanded Destroyer Division 10 and received the Silver Star for his actions against Japanese forces at Ormoc Bay, Leyte, in December 1944.

During the Korean War, Herald F. Stout commanded Mine Squadron 3, the Western Pacific Minesweeping Force, and Task Group 95.6. He later served as assistant chief of staff for logistics to the Commandant of the 11th Naval District and was acting commandant of the district in 1956. He retired from active duty that year and was advanced to rear admiral on the retired list based on his combat awards. He died March 23, 1987.