USS John Basilone to shift homeport to Rota, Spain

NORFOLK, Va. — The Navy will shift the homeport of the Arleigh Burke–class guided-missile destroyer USS John Basilone (DDG-122) from Mayport, Florida, to Naval Station Rota, Spain, this fall, according to a Sept. 30 announcement.

Named for Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, a Medal of Honor recipient and one of the Marine Corps’ most decorated figures, John Basilone is a Flight IIA destroyer designed for a wide spectrum of missions, including ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, and integrated air and missile defense.

Positioning the ship in Rota places it closer to operations across the European theater alongside allied and partner navies. The move aligns with U.S. Fleet Forces Command’s role in preparing and deploying combat-ready naval forces worldwide in support of U.S. national objectives.