Official U.S. Navy website - Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

The guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) arrived at Naval Base San Diego Thursday after completing a seven-month deployment.

Milius is commanded by Cmdr. Kendall Gennick and falls under the command of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, led by Capt. Kerry S. Gilpin.

Milius operated independently during the seven-month deployment, participating in five multi-national exercises and numerous patrols and training missions. While operating in 5th Fleet's area of responsibility, Milius was part of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations.

Milius' mission during the deployment directly supported the U.S. Maritime Strategy by focusing on joint and international partnerships across a range of operations through forward presence, deterrence, freedom of the world's sea lanes, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.

Aegis destroyers are fast warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups, and underway replenishment groups.