USS Higgins is named in honor of Colonel William R. (Rich) Higgins, USMC, who disappeared on Feb. 17, 1988, while serving as the Chief, Observer Group Lebanon and Senior Military Observer, United States Military Observer Group, United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (Palestine).

November 2000, The guided missile destroyer DDG 76 departed San Diego for a six-month maiden deployment in western Pacific.

November 2, 2002 USS Higgins deployed with the USS Constellation (CV 64) Battle Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

March 21, 2003 Thirty U.S. Navy and coalition warships, including USS Higgins, currently assigned to Naval Forces Central Command launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) during military operations to disarm Iraq.

April 28, In a break with tradition, Cmdr. Randy Hill relieved Cmdr. Mike Gilday as Commanding Officer of USS Higgins (DDG 76) during an otherwise traditional ceremony April 24, and brought his entire crew with him. That new crew took Higgins to sea April 28, when the ship departed here to continue its anything but traditional deployment, marking a key milestone and historic first during the second phase of the Navy’s “Sea Swap” experiment. Hill’s crew, the former crew of USS Benfold (DDG 65), is now the crew of Higgins. Gilday’s crew, which took Higgins into action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, will return soon to San Diego and take over Benfold, fully completing the first ever crew swap cycle of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The crew swap keeps Higgins forward-deployed without the need for the timely transit back to the ship’s home port of San Diego. During the experiment, Higgins, which is approaching the six-month mark on its current deployment, will remain forward-deployed for 18 consecutive months. The crew of USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) is scheduled to relieve the current Higgins crew later this year. The reclaimed transit time results in approximately three months of additional forward presence when compared to a typical three-ship cycle. The former Benfold crew arrived April 16 and following four days of liberty and the arrival of the ship April 20, began the turnover process with the Higgins crew while the ship took on needed maintenance.

September 16, U.S and Kuwaiti naval forces concluded the annual security exercise Eager Mace 2003 in early September off the coast of Kuwait. The month-long schedule of events consisted of precision tactical maneuvering and visit, board, search and seizure demonstrations. USS Higgins was the centerpiece of the U.S. component of the exercise.

October 17, The third crew exchange in the Navy’s Sea Swap program took place recently in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, when USS John Paul Jones crew members donned USS Higgins ballcaps and commenced their deployment after relieving USS Benfold crew members aboard Higgins’ hull. After the swap, team Benfold crew members flew back to San Diego to man the hull of John Paul Jones.

March 9, 2004 DDG 76 arrived at Sydney, Australia, for a well-earned rest following an active deployment to the War On Terrorism.

April 4, 2004 USS Higgins returned to San Diego after more than 16 months at sea in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Maritime Interdiction Operations.

May 6, 2005 The guided missile destroyer departed San Diego to conduct operations in the Central and western Pacific with USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. The ships will support the Global War on Terrorism with joint and combined operations and carry out other assignments as directed.

June 13, Carrier Strike Group 11 ships USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Princeton (CG 59), USS Higgins and USS Chafee (DDG 90) worked with ships of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force during a recent passing exercise (PASSEX) May 25.

October 5, Exercise Malabar ended Oct. 3 with a community relations (COMREL) project in Panjim, Goa, India. Malabar is an annual exercise intended to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Indian navies for future combined operations. USS Higgins, USS Chaffee and USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) pulled into port in Goa Oct. 2, completing the at-sea phase of the exercise, and participated in an international sports day called the “Malabar Cup.”

November 8, DDG 76 returned to homeport after a six-month deployment in western Pacific and Persian Gulf.

September 30, 2006 USS Higgins is currently participating in San Diego Fleet Week Sea and Air Parade.

October 7, The guided missile destroyer entered the San Francisco Bay during the Parade of Ships, a key event during San Francisco Fleet Week 2006.

March 2, 2007 USS Higgins completed the Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), as part of USS Nimitz CSG.

April 2, DDG 76 departed San Diego in support of operations in U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

May 8, Capt. Adam Levitt, Commodore, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 23, relieved Cmdr. Jeffrey P. Menne, commanding officer,
USS Higgins, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Capt. Roy Kitchener, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 operations officer, is currently serving as the acting CO. Menne has been temporarily assigned to CSG-11 pending further review. The loss of confidence decision was based on an administrative matter and is under further investigation.

May 23, USS Higgins entered the Persian Gulf for Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

June 4, U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces concluded exercise Nautical Union 2007 in the Persian Gulf June 2. USS Higgins, commanded by Cmdr. Winton Smith, trained with Saudi Arabian forces during the eight-day exercise, which focused on improving regional cooperation and efficiency in maintaining stability in the 5th Fleet area of operations.

September 30, USS Higgins returned to homeport after a six-month deployment.

January 24, 2008 DDG 76 departed Naval Base San Diego for a surge western Pacific deployment, as part of USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.

February 14, USS Higins departed Apra Harbor, Guam, after a three-day port call.

February 28, The guided-missile destroyer pulled to Pohang, Republic of Korea, for a scheduled port visit.

June 3, USS Higgins returned to homeport after a four-month underway period.