The Squadron's combat mission is to support the Operational Commander (currently Carrier Strike Group One) in achieving optimum combat readiness for his ships and to ensure adherence to Type Commander requirements. As such, Commander, Destroyer Squadron One (COMDESRON-1) conducts continuous, extensive liaison and coordination with the assigned Operational Commander.[7] In addition to operations in the U.S. Third Fleet, the squadron's ships have deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, to the Western Pacific as part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, and regularly support Joint Task Force North counter-drug operations in South America and the Caribbean Sea, as well as other fleet commitments.[2]
Composition
The current composition of the squadron includes:[8]
The Commander, Destroyer Squadron ONE is to direct, oversee and assist the ships of the squadron in achieving and maintaining the highest level of material, operational and personnel readiness. When required, he shall exercise command over ships assigned for naval operations in order to achieve sea and air control in pursuit of national objectives. Function as Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC), for assigned ships and prepare them for sustained combat operations at sea. Prepare ships for assignment to operational commanders as directed by Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific Fleet and Commander Third Fleet. Maintain ISIC responsibilities throughout the life cycle of the ship, regardless of location or operational control, except in circumstances where otherwise directed. Provide administrative and material support that will include, but not be limited to: personnel support, OMBUDSMAN program support, ship's restricted availability (SRA), Refueling and Overhaul (ROH) and other maintenance availability planning and administrative assistance.
Operational history
Destroyer Squadron One was initially listed in the U.S. Navy's order of battle in the Navy Directories of 1919, but disappeared from the Naval Register in 1927. In 1937, Destroyer Squadron Twenty (DESRON-20) was re-designated as Destroyer Squadron One.[1]
With Guadalcanal and the Aleutians secured, the U.S. Navy began its Central Pacific offensive with the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign undertaken between November 1943 and February 1944. DESRON-1 destroyers Farragut, Monaghan, and Aylwin screened the escort carrier task group during the invasion of Tarawa while Dewey and Hull screened the shore bombardment task group during the assault on Makin Island. Phelps and Macdonough served as control ships for the assault craft. Subsequently, DESRON-1 destroyers Farragut, Dale, and Monaghan screened the escort carrier force while Macdonough and Aylwin escorted the amphibious transport force during the landings on Kwajalein. Also, Dewey and Hull provided support to the amphibious reserve force, and Phelps supported mine-sweeping operations and Marine landings on Roi-Namur. Macdonough, Monaghan, and Aylwin provided shore bombardment support to the amphibious landings on Parry Island.[3][14]
The next objective of the Central Pacific offensive was the Mariana Islands campaign that occurred between June and November 1944. DESRON-1 destroyers screened Task Group 58.1 during this operation, while also carrying out individual ship assignments during the invasion. Dewey, Hull, and Macdonough supported minesweeping and underwater demolition pre-invasion operations at Saipan while Farragut, Dale, Monaghan, and Aylwin carried out patrol and shore bombardment duties. Later, Task Group 58.1 and Destroyer Squadron One saw combat action during the Battle of the Philippine Sea.[3][15]
In December 1944, while operating in support the Philippines Campaign, Task Force 38 was hit by a powerful typhoon, and DESRON-1 destroyers Monaghan and Hull were lost. In February 1945, DESRON-1 destroyers Dewey, Farragut, Dale, and Aylwin screened the fleet logistic force supporting the invasion of Iwo Jima.[3][16] On 1 March 1945, Destroyer Squadron One was re-designated as Destroyer Division 10 of Destroyer Squadron 5, and in this capacity, it participated in the invasion of Okinawa in April.[2][3][17]
DESRON 1's original nine destroyers earned a combined total 103 service stars during the Asiatic-Pacific campaign, with 97 while attached to Destroyer Squadron 1.[3]
Cold War
Destroyer Squadron One subsequently participated in the Korean War and the Taiwan Strait Patrols. Destroyer Squadron One was re-designated as Reserve Destroyer Squadron 27 (ResDesRon 27), established on January 13, 1958, which was subsequently re-designated Destroyer Squadron 27 (DesRon 27) in October 1970 and Surface Squadron 1 (SS-1) in March 1980 before being returned to its original designation of Destroyer Squadron One in October 1993.[2][3]
On 10 January 2011, two DESRON-1 guided-missile destroyers, Stockdale and Gridley, and their embarked detachments from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49 (HSL-49) participated in a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the JMSDFhelicopter destroyer Kurama in the Sea of Japan. Later in the same day, Stockdale and Gridley participated in separate PASSEX maneuvers with units of the Republic of Korea Navy.[18] On 23 April 2011, the news media reported that the squadron's commodore, Captain Donald Hornbeck, was relieved of command by Carl Vinson strike group commander Rear Admiral Samuel Perez during an investigation into a possible improper relationship. At the time, the squadron was on a deployment to the Arabian Sea.[19][20]
"Destroyer Squadron 1". Destroyer History Home Page. Destroyer History Foundation. 2000–2011. Archived from the original on 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2011-12-06.