Porter is the 28th Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer and the fifth United States Navy ship to bear the name of the legendary heroes Commodore David Porter and Vice Admiral Davis Dixon Porter.

November 2000, DDG 78 departed Norfolk, Va., on its maiden deployment. It operated as part of the USS Harry S. Truman Battle Group in support of Operation Southern Watch. The guided-missile destroyer returned home in May 2001.

February 4, 2003 USS Porter deployed Jan. 6 and conducted a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of USS Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group, in the Puerto Rican Operating Area until Feb. 4, before heading overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

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

July 2003, USS Porter returned to Naval Station Norfolk after supporting operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in the Mediterranean.

May 28, 2005 USS Porter (DDG 78) along with USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and USS Carr (FFG 52) pulled to New York City to participate in the Fleet Week '05.

June 10, Cmdr. Douglas Nashold relieved Cmdr. Brad Williamson as commanding officer of the USS Porter.

November 28, USS Porter departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in support of the global war on terrorism, as part of the Surface Strike Group (SSG).

February 3, 2006 The guided-missile destroyer pulled to Souda Bay, Crete, for a routine port call.

February 15, USS Porter arrived in the Black Sea in early February to train with the Ukrainian and Romanian navies. As part of a strategic focus to the south and east, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet (CNE/C6F) have increased engagement in the Black Sea in an effort to increase cooperation with regional partners.

April 1, DDG 78 pulled to Souda Bay once again for a brief port visit.

April 7, For the second time this year, USS Porter transited through the Turkish Straits in April to engage with Black Sea navies. Planned engagements with Romania, Turkey, Georgia and Bulgaria will directly support the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (CNE) strategic priority of strengthening enduring partnerships in the region.

April 10, The guided-missile destroyer departed the Black Sea country of Georgia after being at anchor outside the city of Poti for four days.

April 19, DDG 78 arrived in Varna, Bulgaria, for a scheduled port visit. The Porter returned to homeport in May after a six-month underway period.

August 1, 2007 USS Porter departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment with the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).

September 21, The guided-missile destroyer is currently in the Indian Ocean conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

October 19, USS Porter departed Mombassa, Kenya, after a three-day port call.

December 18, DDG 78 arrived in Victoria, Seychelles, for a scheduled port visit.

January 1, 2008 The destroyer transited the Suez Canal after supporting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Indian Ocean.

January 8, USS Porter recently arrived in Naples, Italy, for a scheduled port call.

January 25, USS Porter returned to Norfolk after a six-month underway period. The ship also visited Mombasa, Kenya, becoming the
first U.S. naval ship to visit there since 2005.

June 2, Cmdr. Michael Feyedelem relieved Cmdr. Robert Hall as CO of USS Porter, during a port visit to Boston. On June 1, the crew participated in the annual Dorchester Day Parade celebrating the settlement of Dorchester, a historic city eventually annexed to Boston in 1870.