WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 -- The U.S. Navy issued the following news release:
Gridley departed Everett with Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), March 9, 2026. The destroyer served as an escort for Nimitz's transit and participation in Operation Southern Seas 2026, oversaw the carrier's successful transition into the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of operations, and continued operating under the direction of Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere as a part of Operation Southern Spear aimed at countering narcotics trafficking and distribution in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Supporting Southern Seas 2026, Gridley escorted Nimitz during portions of the carrier's final sail around South America as the carrier strike group supported engag...