US Navy Launches Task Group to Hunt Russian Submarines

TR_123456 · Sep 29, 2021

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem. November 12, 2017. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist Kelsey J. Hockenberger/US Navy

The US Navy recently announced the formation of a task group comprising Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to counter the Russian submarine threat in the Atlantic Ocean.

Task Group Greyhound, which received initial operational capability on September 1, is part of the navy’s Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) introduced in 2014.

The task force currently comprises the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) and Thomas Hudner, followed by USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) in January. According to USNI News, USS Cole (DDG-67) and USS Gravely (DDG-107) will join the group when Donald Cook returns for maintenance next year.

Fully Operational by June 2022

Commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic Rear Adm. Brendan McLane told reporters at the task group announcement ceremony that the Greyhound is “designed to provide the fleet with predictable, continuously ready and fully certified warships.”

“The ships will be ready to accomplish the full range of missions – including tracking Russian undersea activity in the Atlantic and maritime homeland defense for our nation.”

According to McLane, the ships will be based at Mayport and Norfolk in Virginia, with the task group fully operational by June 2022. He added that task group vessels will undergo “in-port training, live, virtual and constructive (LVC) training and time at sea.”