Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) sets sail for the first time to conduct initial at-sea builder’s trials off the coast of Maine in 2016. US Navy Photo
A previous version of this post mislabeled the iteration of the Aegis combat system on Peralta. It will field Baseline 9D, not Baseline 9C.
Guided-missile destroyer Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) will formally join the Navy fleet following a commissioning ceremony on Saturday.
Rafael Peralta is the second of the restart Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to be commissioned and the first from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. USS John Finn (DDG-113) was commissioned earlier in July.
Rafael Peralta is capable of engaging in air, surface, and subsurface battles simultaneously. The ship contains the latest iteration of the Navy’s Baseline 9D Aegis combat system, which includes modifications to the ship’s AN/SPY-1D(v) and associated processors. The ship can simultaneously track and fight aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missile threats.
Peralta honors Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for actions during combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Peralta is credited with saving the lives of fellow Marines during the second battle of Fallujah in 2004.
“This commissioning memorializes the life of Sgt. Rafael Peralta and marks the beginning of what will be decades of exceptional service for this ship,” said a statement release by Sean Stackley, acting secretary of the Navy. “During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sgt. Peralta acted heroically and sacrificed himself for his fellow Marines. He was proud to be an American, proud to be a Marine and we are proud to welcome USS Rafael Peralta to the fleet. I have no doubt the men and women who serve aboard Peralta will continue his legacy of service.”
Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, will deliver the principal address during the commissioning ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. The ceremony will be streamed online at Navy Live.
Bath Iron Works is currently building Burke guided missile destroyers Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), Daniel Inouye (DDG-118) and Carl M. Levin (DDG-120). Bath is also building Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) and Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002).
