The Benfold (DDG 65) is the U.S. Navy's 15th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The ship is named after Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Edward C. Benfold, a Congressional Medal of Honor winner, who was killed in action while serving with the 1st Marine Division during the Korean Conflict.

March 16, 1996 The Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) Benfold arrived in its homeport of Naval Station San Diego, Calif., after an 18-day transit from Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. Port visit to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from March 11-12.

March 30, USS Benfold was commissioned during a 10 a.m. ceremony at San Diego. Cmdr. Mark E. Ferguson, III is the first commanding officer.

April 1, The guided-missile destroyer departed homeport for a Dependent's Day Cruise. Ammo onload at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., from April 10-12. Underway for Combat Systems Ship's Qualifications Trials (CSSQT) from May 20-24. Underway again on June 12 for EWSQT/ASWSQT, off the coast of Hawaii.

June 19, The Benfold arrived in Lahaina, Hawaii, for a four-day port visit. Port call to Pearl Harbor on July 3. Returned home on July 15. Underway for final contract trials from Aug. 19-21.

September 30, USS Benfold entered the Southwest Marine shipyard in San Diego for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA).

February 7, 1997 DDG 65 arrived in Mazatlan, Mexico, for a two-day port visit. Underway for USS Constellation (CV 64) BG's JTFEX, as part of the oppositon force, from Feb. 13-15. Underway for Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) III from Feb. 25-28.

From March 4-13, the Benfold served as a test platform in the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) sponsored event Hunter Warrior; Underway for Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) from April 8-10; Underway for Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) and Type Training from April 16-18.

June 20, Cmdr. Donald M. Abrashoff relieved Cmdr. Mark E. Ferguson, III as CO of the Benfold.

From July 7-11, the guided-missile destroyer was underway for MEFEX 97-3 Phase II.

August 19, USS Benfold departed San Diego for its maiden deployment, with the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Battle Group.

August 25, DDG 65 pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a brief port call. Port visit to Singapore from Sept. 12-16.

September 18, The Benfold anchored off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, for a five-day port visit. Port calls to Bahrain from Oct. 2-8 and 16-19th.

December 13, USS Benfold pulled into Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for a three-day port visit. Another visit to Dubai from Dec. 24-26.

December 28, The Benfold anchored off Bahrain Bell-Sitrah for its third visit to Manama. Port calls to Fremantle, Australia, (Jan. 16-19); Melbourne (Jan. 23-26); and Sydney (Jan. 28-31). Brief visit to Pago Pago, American Samoa, on Feb. 5 for refuel. Arrived at NWS Seal Beach on Feb. 16 to offload ammunition.

February 19, 1998 USS Benfold returned to homeport after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AoR.

March 23, The guided-missile destroyer underway for routine training off the coast of southern California. Ammo offload at Seal Beach from March 25-27. Port visit to Puerto Vallarta, Mecico, from April 2-5.

April 29, The Benfold commenced a two-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

August 21, USS Benfold departed Naval Station San Diego for a Family Day Cruise.

September 17, The Benfold arrived in Victoria, B.C., Canada, for a three-day port visit.

October 10, DDG 65 pulled into San Francisco, Calif., to participate in Fleet Week 1998.

November 6, USS Benfold anchored off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for a three-day port visit.

January 21, 1999 Cmdr. Thomas H. Copeman relieved Cmdr. Donald M. Abrashoff as commanding officer of the Benfold.

Frmo Feb. 19 through March 12, the guided-missile destroyer participated in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). Ammo onload at NWS Seal Beach, Calif., from April 7-9.

April 30, USS Benfold departed homeport for a Family and Friends Day Cruise. Underway for Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 99 from May 6-17.

June 18, USS Benfold departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment with the USS Constellation (CV 64) Battle Group. Commenced Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) en route to 7th Fleet.

July 11, DDG 65 arrived in Chinhae, Republic of Korea, for a five-day port visit.

July 23, The Benfold anchored off the coast of Pattaya, Thailand, for a five-day visit. Port call to Singapore from July 31- Aug. 4.

August 31, USS Benfold arrived in Manama, Bahrain, for a four-day port visit. Port call to Jebel Ali, U.A.E., from Sept. 17-21.

September 27, The Benfold pulled into Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for a four-day port call. Port visit to Kuwait City from Oct. 19-22.

October 28, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Dubai, U.A.E., for a four-day port visit.

November 17, DDG 65 arrived in Bunbury, Australia, for a four-day port visit. Port call to Melbourne from Nov. 25-29. Ammo offload at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from Dec. 10-12.

December 17, USS Benfold returned to Naval Station San Diego after a six-month Arabian Gulf deployment in support of Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO).

January 15, 2000 The Benfold arrived at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach to offload ordnance.

February 18, USS Benfold entered the Continental Maritime of San Diego shipyard for a 10-week Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Underway for TSTA A from June 19-23 and 26-30th. Underway for TSTA B from July 24-28 and July 31- Aug. 4.

August 21, Cmdr. Adam S. Levitt relieved Cmdr. Thomas H. Copeman as CO of DDG 65.

October 26, The Benfold departed San Diego for a two-week Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). Underway again from Nov. 14-17 to conduct MISSILEX; Underway from Dec. 11-14. Ammo onload at Seal Beach from Jan. 8-12, 2001. Underway from Feb. 2-12 for JTFEX.

March 15, USS Benfold departed homeport for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th nad 7th Fleet AoR, as part of the Connie BG. Port call to Pearl Harbor from March 20-22.

April 6, The guided-missile destroyer arrived in Melbourne, Australia, for a five-day port visit. Port call to Fremantle from April 16-20.

May 4, The Benfold moored to Mina Salman Pier in Manama, Bahrain, for a three-day port call. Another visit to Manama from June 3-7.

July 15, DDG 65 pulled into Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a four-day port visit. Third and final visit to Bahrain from July 26-30.

August 11, USS Benfold anchored off the coast Phuket for a three-day visit to Thailand. Port call to Hong Kong from Aug. 20-25.

September 6, The Benfold pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to embark "Tigers" and offload ammunition.

September 15, USS Benfold returned to San Diego after a six-month deployment.

December 1, The Benfold departed San Diego in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Port call to Naval Station Everett, Wash., from Dec. 5-17. Returned home on Dec. 22.

March 15, 2002 Cmdr. Charles R. Hill relieved Cmdr. Adam S. Levitt as commanding officer of the USS Benfold.

March 20, The guided-missile destroyer entered the Southwest Marine shipyard for a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). Readiness Availability at Continental Maritime of San Diego shipyard from April 16 through May 22. Underway for sea trilas on June 17. Ammo onload at NWS Seal Beach from June 18-20.

June 23, USS Benfold arrived at Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, Calif., for a five-day combat systems testing; Underway for Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART) II from July 17-19.

July 25, DDG 65 departed Naval Base San Diego for a week-long underway off the coast of southern California for Fleet Battle Experiment Juliett/Exercise Millenium Challenge.

From September 3-13, the Benfold was underway for Group Sail operations with the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) BG. Underway for Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) from Sept. 16-27. Port visit to San Francisco, Calif., from Sept. 20-23; Underway for TSTA III from Oct. 1-4; Final Evalution Problem (FEP) from Oct. 21-25; Underway for Sustainment Sail operations with the Nimitz Battle Group from Nov. 1-8; Port visit to Mazatlan, Mexico, from Nov. 14-17.

April 24, 2003 The crew of USS Benfold relieved the crew of USS Higgins (DDG 76) during an exchange of command and crew ceremony at Changi Naval Base in Singapore. The Benfold/Higgins exchange is the first "Sea Swap" event for an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. The Higgins original crew will return to San Diego to assume control of USS Benfold.

From August 9-13, the guided-missile destroyer was moored at Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego.

August 27, USS Benfold departed for sea trials after a two-month SRA at Continental Maritime shipyard.

August 29, Cmdr. Donald G. Hornbeck relieved Cmdr. Michael M. Gilday as CO of the Benfold during a ceremony on board the ship at sea.

From September 8-12, the Benfold was underway for routine training in SOCAL Op. Area. Ammo onload at NWS Seal Beach from Sept. 22-26.

October 3, DDG 65 is currently underway for a "Tiger Cruise", off the coast of southern California, during the San Diego Fleet Week.

From March 18-22, 2004 USS Benfold was underway as Surge asset for the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

May 7, The Benfold is currently underway off the West Coast for advanced training with the ships from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7.

June 10, USS Benfold departed Naval Base San Diego to serve as an escort for USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

June 24, Latin America’s first multinational amphibious exercise was launched with a record 11 nations participating: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, United States and Uruguay; along with observers from Colombia and Mexico. More than 5,000 U.S. Sailors and Marines will participate in the amphibious phase of UNITAS 45-04, including USS Benfold, USS Ronald Reagan, USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), USS Mustin (DDG 89) and USS Tortuga (LSD 46).

July 5, USS Benfold, as part of the Reagan CSG, completed Silent Forces Exercises (SIFOREX), after four days of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) tactics with the Peruvian Navy.

July 23, DDG 65 returned to homeport after a six-week underway period in support of Summer Pulse 2004. Port calls to Valparaiso, Chile; and Callao, Peru.

From Aug. 23- Sept. 3, the Benfold was underway for Group Sail with the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) CSG.

October 18, USS Benfold departed San Diego for an emergency surge deployment, as part of the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, to support Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet potential contingency operations and theater security cooperation initiatives.

December 24, The guided-missile destroyer anchored in Victoria Harbor for a scheduled port visit to Hong Kong.

January 19, 2005 The Benfold is currently in the Andaman Sea, off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. U.S. Navy helicopters are using the ship as a refueling station for relief flights into Sumatra, providing humanitarian assistance to areas affected by the devastation left by the Dec. 26 tsunami, in support of Operation Unified Assistance.

February 6, DDG 65 pulled into Changi Naval Base, Singapore, for a two-day port call to refuel. Brief stop at Pearl Harbor on Feb. 23.

March 1, USS Benfold returned to Naval Base San Diego after four-and-a-half month western Pacific deployment.

From April 18-21, the Benfold was underway for Scientist to Sea program. Underway again for USS Tarawa (LHA 1) ESGs Command and Control Exercise, as part of opposition force, from May 23-27. Underway for USS Abraham Lincoln CSGs C2X from June 6-17.

July 6, Cmdr. Mark W. Harris relieved Cmdr. Donald G. Hornbeck as the 8th commanding officer of the Benfold.

From September 7-20, the guided-missile destroyer was underway for Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX) with the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. In early October, USS Benfold completed Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Certification.

September 13, 2006 USS Benfold departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment, as part of the USS Boxer (LHD 4) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

September 22, DDG 65 pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a routine port visit.

October 12, The Benfold arrived at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, for a scheduled port call.

October 31, USS Benfold pulled into Mumbai, India, for the in-port phase of Exercise Malabar 2006. The purpose of the multinational exercise, which focuses on a number of naval mission areas, is to strengthen ties between American, Canadian and Indian forces, as well as enhance the cooperative security relationship between the nations involved.

March 13, 2007 USS Benfold returned to homeport after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

May 15, The Benfold arrived in Naval Station Everett, Wash., for a brief port call.

February 5, 2008 USS Benfold, commanded by Cmdr. William A. Hesser, Jr., emerged from its 2008 CNO Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) Jan. 30, equipped with the new Shipboard Protection System (SPS). DDG 65 is the first ship to be outfitted with SPS Block 1 version, which uses integrated radar and twin cameras to identify and engage threats from high-speed seaborne craft.

May 4, USS Benfold departed Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled deployment, as part of USS Peleliu (LHA 5) Expeditionary Strike Group.

June 9, The guided-missile destroyer recently departed Phuket, Thailand, after a goodwill port visit.

October 5, The Benfold anchored in Victoria Harbor for a four-day port visit to Hong Kong.

November 3, USS Benfold returned to San Diego after a six-month underway period in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). The ship also visited Manama, Bahrain; and Sasebo, Japan.

March 27, 2009 The Benfold engaged multiple targets during this multi-event exercise Stellar Daggers, that took place on March 24 and 26, with Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA and modified SM-2 BLK IV missiles. This is the first time the fleet has successfully tested the Aegis system's ability to intercept both an SRBM in terminal phase and a low-altitude cruise missile target at the same time.

August 3, USS Benfold held a rare "Open House" this weekend at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., where 11,000 visitors explored the ship's bridge and main deck.

September 8, USS Benfold departed San Diego for a western Pacific and Middle East deployment. DDG 65 is one of 15 guided-missile destroyers, fitted with the full Aegis BMD capability in the U.S. Navy, allowing them to detect, track and engage enemy ballistic missiles.

October 4, The Benfold anchored off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, for a four-day visit.

November 6, Cmdr. Kevin M. Brand relieved Cmdr. Thomas C. Disy as commanding officer of the USS Benfold.

November 8, Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris assumed command of the newly established Expeditionary Strike Group Five during a ceremony aboard the Benfold. ESG 5 will relieve ESG 2, commanded by Rear Adm. Michelle Howard, and will serve as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 51 and 59 in the U.S. 5th Fleet AoR, responsible for all amphibious forces deployed to the region.

February 12, 2010 USS Benfold recently arrived in Phuket, Thailand, for its second visit to this exotic city.

February 20, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Manila, Republic of the Philippines, for a scheduled port call.

March 16, USS Benfold returned to Naval Base San Diego after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AoR.

June 24, DDG 65 arrived in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to participate in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010.

February 2, 2011 USS Benfold entered the dry-dock at the BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair facility for, at least $32 million worth, repairs and modernization.

May 6, Cmdr. David M. Oden relieved Cmdr. Kevin M. Brand as CO of the Benfold during a change-of-command ceremony in front of the ship at dry-dock.

July 27, The guided-missile destroyer returned to Naval Base San Diego.

September 26, USS Benfold departed homeport for a three-day underway period off the coast of southern California.

November 28, The Benfold assisted four stranded mariners in the waters off San Clemente Island while conducting routine training operations. DDG 65 returned home Dec. 1.

March 12, 2012 USS Benfold anchored off the coast of La Paz, Mexico, for a four-day port visit.

March 30, The Benfold departed Pearl Harbor after a routine port call to participate in integrated training exercise "Koa Kai 12-2", off the coast of Hawaii.