The Mason (DDG 87) is the 37th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and the 9th of the Flight IIA variant. The ship was named for the two men: John Young Mason, born April 19, 1799, in Greene County, Virginia. Both a political leader and diplomat, he was Secretary of the Navy for Presidents John Tyler and James K. Polk and Distinguished Flying Cross Winner Ensign Newton Henry Mason who died in aerial combat during World War II in Battle of the Coral Sea, May 9, 1942. But, the ship also inherits the legacy of the previous USS Mason (DE 529), the first Navy ship with a predominately African-American crew. This was the first time that black Americans were permitted to be trained and serve in Navy career fields other than cooks and stewards. One hundred sixty black Sailors were enrolled in all fields of operational and technical training, and manned the ship at commissioning.

The keel was laid down on January 19, 2000, at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine; The ship was launched and christened on June 23, 2001; The Honorable Olimpia J. Snowe, U.S. Senator for the State of Maine, served as sponsor of the ship. Cmdr. David J. Gale is the prospective commanding officer.

October 21, 2002 The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Mason underway for the first time to cunduct a combined three-day Alpha/Bravo Builder's trials. The ship was delivered to the U.S. Navy on Nov. 22.

March 7, 2003 The guided-missile destroyer departed Bath, Maine, for a transit to Norfolk, Virginia; Port call to Boston, Mass., from March 10-13.

March 14, PCU Mason arrived at Naval Station Newport, R.I., for a three-day port visit to conduct school ship training with the Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS); Port call to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., from March 24-31.

April 12, USS Mason was commissioned during a ceremony at Port Canaveral, Fla; Underway after a 10-day port call on April 14.

April 18, The Mason arrived at its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk for the first time.

April 21, DDG 87 moored at Nauticus Pier in downtown Norfolk for a week-long visit in conjunction with the Azarea Festival; Underway for routine training from May 5-10 in the Virginia Capes OPAREA; Underway again on May 23.

June 5, USS Mason arrived in New York City for a three-day port visit; Underway for routine training from June 16-19; Ammo onload at NWS Yorktown from June 30- July 2; Underway for Combat Systems Ship's Qualifications Trials on July 7; Port call to Port Canaveral from July 30- Aug. 4 in preparation for ASW portion of CSSQT; Port calls to Naval Station Mayport from Aug. 15-19, 20-21 and 22-25th; Ammo offload at Yorktown from Aug. 27-29.

September 16, The Mason emergency sortied from Norfolk to avoid the Hurricane Isabel.

September 22, USS Mason entered the Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation (NORSHIPCO) for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA); In dry-dock from Oct. 1-21; Returned to Naval Station Norfolk on Dec. 17.

From January 12-15, 2004, the guided-missile destroyer was underway for routine training in the VACAPES Op. Area; Underway again on Feb. 20; Moored to Nauticus Pier on 24th fora three-day visit.

March 1, USS Mason departed homeport for an 18-day underway to conduct routine training; Port call to Naval Station Mayport from March 5-9; Underway for Group Sail operations from April 5-30.

May 10, DDG 87 departed Norfolk for a two-day Tiger Cruise to Mayport, Florida; Underway for ASW System Qualification Trial at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range off Andros Island, Bahamas, on May 13; Returned home on May 20.

May 21, Cmdr. Eugene H. Black, III relieved Cmdr. David J. Gale as CO of the Mason during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

June 4, USS Mason departed Norfolk to participate in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group; and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), with the John F. Kennedy (CV 67) CSG, as part of opposition forces.

July 1, The guided-missile destroyer anchored off Bizerte to embark Tunisian naval officers for Operation Mini-Nador.

July 5, USS Mason arrived in Tarragona, Spain, for a four-day port visit; Participated in a multinational exercise Majestic Eagle, off the coast of Morocco, July 12-15; Returned home on July 25; Magnetic deperming at Lambert Point from Aug. 23-27; Underway for routine testing from Sept. 21-23; Ammo onload at NWS Yorktown from Sept. 27-30.

October 13, USS Mason departed Naval Station Norfolk for its maiden deployment, with the Truman CSG, in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Sea Dragon II.

October 22, The Mason pulled into HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, for a two-day port call before participating in a British Royal Navy joint and combined warfare training exercise Joint Maritime Course (JMC) 04-3, from Oct. 24-30; Port call to Rota, Spain, from Nov. 3-6; Transited the Suez Canal on Nov. 12.

December 1, DDG 87 arrived in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emerates, for a four-day port visit; Port call to Manama, Bahrain, from Dec. 23-27.

April 18, 2005 USS Mason returned to homeport after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR, conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations (MSO).

January 13, 2006 Cmdr. John V. Fuller relieved Cmdr. Eugene H. Black, III as the 3rd commanding officer of the Mason.

March 2, The guided-missile destroyer is currently off the East Coast for routine training, as part of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG, in preparation for the upcoming deployment later this year.

April 12, DDG 87 departed Norfolk for a four-week Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

May 24, USS Mason arrived in New York City to participate in 19th Navy Fleet Week through May 30. Fleet Week has been sponsored by New York City since 1984 in celebration of the United States sea service.

October 3, USS Mason departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

November 7, The guided-missile destroyer entered the Arabian Gulf and joined with Combined Task Force (CTF) 152, currently led by Italian Navy Rear Adm. Emilio Foltzer.

May 23, 2007 USS Mason returned to homeport after seven-and-a-half month deployment. The ship participated in a bilateral exercise Neon Falcon between the United States and Royal Bahraini navies.

March 29, 2008 DDG 87 is currently off the coast of Florida, participating in Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA), as part of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) CSG.

September 12, USS Mason, commanded by Cmdr. Robert E. Clark, departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment with the TR Carrier Strike Group.

October 1, The Mason pulled into Batumi to take officers of Georgian navy and coast guard on board and will continue sailing in the neutral waters of the Black Sea.

October 15, The guided-missile destroyer departed Istanbul, Turkey, after a three-day port visit.

February 6, 2009 Sailors from USS Mason went aboard Motor Vessel Faina to conduct a health and comfort inspection of the crew as well as provide Faina's crew with food, water and medical support. The U.S. Navy fleet ocean tug USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) also provided fuel and fresh water to the merchant vessel. Faina is currently anchored off the coast of Somalia, near Hobyo, and is making engineering preparations to get underway. Somali pirates released the Belize-flagged roll-on/roll-off ship Feb. 5, after holding it for more than four months.

April 18, USS Mason returned to homeport after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

October 10, 2010 USS Mason is currently participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Strike Group.

January 13, 2011 USS Mason departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment.

January 30, The guided-missile destroyer departed Palma de Mallorca, Spain, after a three-day port visit.

March 15, Cmdr. Adan G. Cruz relieved Cmdr. Kevin M. Robinson as CO of the Mason during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship while inport Haifa, Isreal.

June 30, Capt. James Gilmour relieved Rear Adm. Harris Chan Weng Yip as Commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, during a change-of-command ceremony on board the USS Mason in Djibouti. This the first time that a Royal New Zealand naval officer has commanded a major multinational task force in recent decades.

July 9, The guided-missile destroyer arrived in Bodrum, Turkey, for a three-day port call.

July 27, USS Mason returned to Norfolk after six-and-a-half month deployment.

August 25, The Mason emergency sortied from Naval Station Norfolk to avoid the approaching Category 3 Hurricane Irene.

October 7, DDG 87 recently arrived in Mobile, Ala., for a scheduled port visit in conjuction with the BayFest.

January 30, 2012 USS Mason, along with USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), entered the Titan dry-dock at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair facility for repairs and modernization as part of the DDG Modernization (DDG MOD) upgrade. This was the first ever tandem dry-docking of two U.S. Navy Aegis guided-missile destroyers; Completed sea trials in mid-June.

August 3, Cmdr. D. Wilson Marks relieved Cmdr. Adan G. Cruz as CO of the USS Mason during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Norfolk.

May 31, 2013 The guided-missile destroyer departed homeport for a final Sustainment Exercise (SUSTAINEX) with the USS Harry S. Truman CSG.

July 22, USS Mason departed Norfolk for a deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR, six months later than scheduled, as part of the Truman Carrier Strike Group.

August 2, The Mason moored at Vlothaven Quay in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for a five-day port visit. The ship recently departed Rotterdam after a brief port call; Transited the Suez Canal on Aug. 18.

August 26, USS Mason participated in a counter-piracy exercise with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)) guided-missile destroyer Harbin (112) and auxiliary replenishment oiler Weishanhu (887), in the Gulf of Aden, from Aug. 24-25.

September 13, DDG 87 is currently underway in the Red Sea for Suez Canal escort operations.

September 23, USS Mason arrived in Eilat, Israel, for a four-day port visit.

October 29, Surface rescue swimmers from the Mason and aviation rescue swimmers, assigned to "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 Det. 2, conducted a combined search-and-rescue (SAR) exercise in the Mediterranean Sea.

November 1, USS Mason moored at Aqaba Naval Base, Jordan, for a four-day port call; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait southbound in mid-November; Completed Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) in the Gulf of Aden on Nov. 25.

December 28, The guided-missile destroyer recently departed Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, after a liberty port visit to Dubai; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on Jan. 25, 2014.

February 4, USS Mason departed Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), Bahrain, after a week-long port call.

February 28, Cmdr. Mikal J. Phillips relieved Cmdr. D. Wilson Marks as the 8th CO of Mason during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship. DDG 87 recently pulled into Jebel Ali, U.A.E., for a scheduled port visit.

March 28, The Mason returned to Mediterranean Sea after transiting Suez Canal; Inport Palermo, Sicily, from April 1-5.

April 18, USS Mason returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a nine-month deployment.

May 19, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., was awarded a $12.4 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-4308) for the USS Mason's Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Work is expected to be completed by October 2014.

December 15, USS Mason departed Naval Station Norfolk for sea trials after a six-month SRA.

August ?, 2015 Cmdr. Christopher J. Gilbertson relieved Cmdr. Mikal J. Phillips as commanding officer of the USS Mason.

September 24, The Mason is currently underway in support of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) CSG's COMPTUEX/JTFEX, as part of opposition forces.

October 29, DDG 87 departed Norfolk for a Group Sail with other ships from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26; Participated in a joint naval drills with the People's Liberation Army (Navy) ships, off the coast of Florida, on Nov. 7.

March 14, 2016 USS Mason departed homeport for a 31-day underway to participate in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG.

April 25, The Mason departed Naval Station Norfolk for a Friends and Family Day Cruise en route to NWS Yorktown, Va., to onload ammunition; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 4 on April 29.?

June 1, USS Mason departed Norfolk for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

June 15, The Mason received biofuel-petroleum mixture, during a replenishment-at-sea with the ITS Etna (A5326), while underway in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

June 17, USS Mason moored at O.A.R.N Pier in Port of Genoa, Italy, for a four-day liberty visit; Transited the Suez Canal on June 29.

July 18, The guided-missile destroyer moored at Port of Salalah, Oman, for a three-day liberty visit; Moored at Tanker Berth 10 in Port of Djibouti for a brief stop to refuel on July 23; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on Aug. 1?; Transited southbound on Aug. 23.

From August 25-29, USS Mason participated in a Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness and Evaluation Measurement (SHAREM) exercise, with the USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Dallas (SSN 700), HMAS Perth (FFH 157), HMS Portland (F 79) and RFA Fort Victoria (A387), while underway in the northern Arabian Sea.

September 1, USS Mason moored at Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), Bahrain, for a five-day upkeep; Moored outboard the USS Stout (DDG 55) from Sept. 4-6; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on Sept. 7.?

October 9, USS Mason fired two SM-2s and one Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) to intercept two CSS-N-8 anti-ship cruise missiles, launched from Houthi-controlled territory in southern Yemen. The Mason has been patrolling for a week now in the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait as a response to attack on UAE-operated Swift (HSV 2) on Oct. 1.

October 12, At about 6 p.m. (local time) the Mason detected at least one missile, fired near Al Hudaydah, Yemen, that failed to reach the ship; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on Oct. 20; Moored at Berth K9, NATO Fueling Depot in Souda Bay, Crete, for a brief stop on Oct. 22.

October 23, USS Mason moored at Themistokleous Pier in Port of Piraeus, Greece, for a four-day liberty visit to Athens; Transited the Suez Canal southbound (#3) on Oct. 29; Transited nortbound, escorting the USS Dallas (SSN 700), on Oct. 30; Transited southbound (#5) on Nov. 1.

November 1?, DDG 87 transited the Suez Canal northbound to provide multi-warfare defense support for the FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91) CSG, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve; Moored at West Berth K14 in Souda Bay from Nov. 18-22.

December 7, The Mason transited the Strait of Gibraltar, escorting the USS San Antonio (LPD 17); Moored at Pier 2 on Naval Station Rota, Spain, from Dec. 7-11.

December 15, USS Mason moored at Stormont Wharf Extension in Port of Belfast, Northern Ireland, for a three-day visit in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the opening of Base One Europe Londonderry, the first and largest U.S. Navy base in the European theater during WW II.

December 30, USS Mason moored at Berth 2, Pier 4 on Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment.

February 17, 2017 Cmdr. Stephen W. Aldridge relieved Cmdr. Christopher J. Gilbertson as the 10th CO of Mason, during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk.

April 13, The Mason moored at Berth 6, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk after a two-week underway for Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX), as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG.

April 28, USS Mason moored at Berth 5, Pier 5 after a four-day underway for ammo offload at the NWS Yorktown; Underway again on May 1; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 1 on May 11.

June 10, The Mason returned to homeport after a four-day underway for routine training and search-and-rescue (SAR) operation off the coast of North Carolina; Underway again from June 13-14; Moved to Berth 1, Pier 4 on July 10.

July 17, USS Mason moved "dead-stick" to Midtown Pier, Marine Hydraulics Industries (MHI) Ship Repair & Services shipyard in Norfolk for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

February 19, 2018 The Mason moored at Berth 5, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway for sea trials; Underway again on March 14; Moored at NWS Yorktown for ammo onload from March 19-23; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 9 on March 23.

April 13, DDG 87 moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk after a four-day underway for routine training.

April 23, The Mason moored to a buoy at Explosives Anchorage G2, off Naval Station Norfolk, for a brief stop before underway for degaussing runs in Norfolk Harbor; Returned home on Monday afternoon.

April 28, USS Mason moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 on Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day underway for routine training; Moved to Berth 2, Pier 14 on May 3.

May 17, The Mason moored at Berth 2, Pier 9 after a 10-day underway off the coast of Virginia; Underway again on May 21.

May 23, The guided-missile destroyer made a brief stop off Mayport, Florida; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 1 in Naval Station Norfolk on May 26.

June 6, USS Mason moored at Berth 2, Pier 12 after a one-day underway for Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) summer cruise; Commenced Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV) on June ?.

July 21, The Mason departed homeport for Group Sail in the Jacksonville and Charleston Op. Areas, as part of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) CSG-12; Arrived in the vicinity of Nassau, Bahamas, on Aug. 2.

From August 3-4, the Mason conducted operations at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range, off the east coast of Andros Island; Conducted operations in the Virginia Capes Op. Area from Aug. 17-18; Conducted operations in the Jacksonville Op. Area from Aug. 23-27.

August 30, USS Mason participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) with the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) CSG and USS Abraham Lincoln, while underway off the coast of Virginia.

August 31, The Mason moored at Berth 1, Pier 1 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway again from Sept. 5-6; Emergency sortied due to approaching Hurricane Florence on Sept. 10; Arrived in the Key West Op. Area on Sept. 13; Returned home on Sept. 17.

October 19, The Mason moored at Berth 6, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk after a four-day underway off the coast of Virginia.

November 13, USS Mason moored at Berth 5, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk after an 11-day underway for Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise, in the Cherry Point Op. Area; Underway for a missile exercise (MISSILEX), off the coast of Virginia, from Nov. 17-20.

January 7, 2019 DDG 87 moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown for a four-day ammo onload; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on late Saturday evening.

February 26, The Mason moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 on Naval Station Norfolk after a 32-day underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX); Moored at Berth 1, Pier 4 after underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on March 27.

April 1, USS Mason departed Norfolk for a scheduled Middle East deployment, as part of the USS Abraham Lincoln CSG.

April 11, The Mason transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound just before midnight; Moored at new public pier PA1, Channel Port in Cagliari, Sardinia, from April 14-17; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on April 22; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on May 21.

June 10, USS Mason pulled into Karachi, Pakistan, for a two-day port visit; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on June 2?.

July 6, The Mason participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) with the USS Sentry (MCM 3), USS Devastator (MCM 6), USS Gladiator (MCM 11) and USS Dextrous (MCM 13), while underway off the coast of Bahrain; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on July 9.

October 19, The guided-missile destroyer recently transited the Suez Canal northbound; Moored at Berth 3/4, Pier 1 on Naval Station Rota, Spain, from Oct. 24-25.

November 5, USS Mason moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment.

November 22, Cmdr. Matthew T. Erdner relieved Cmdr. Stephen W. Aldridge as CO of the Mason during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

December 2, The Mason moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown for a four-day ammo offload.

December 19, USS Mason moored at Berth 1, Pier 1 on Naval Station Norfolk after a 13-day underway, in the Jacksonville and Charleston Op. Areas, in support of emergent national tasking.

December 20, General Dynamics NASSCO-Norfolk was awarded a $96,9 million contract for the USS Mason's Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA). This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $132,2 million and the work is expected to be completed by May 2021.

January 13, 2020 USS Mason departed homeport in support of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG's COMPTUEX.

November 21, The Mason undocked from Speede Dry Dock and moored at Berth 2W on NASSCO shipyard; Moved "dead-stick" to Berth 5, Pier 4 in Naval Station Norfolk on April 8, 2021.

April 22, Cmdr. Stephen M. Valerio relieved Cmdr. Matthew T. Erdner as CO of the Mason during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

May 5, USS Mason departed homeport for sea trials following a 14-month maintenance availability; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 on May ?; Underway again from May 28- June 1; Moored to buoy at Explosives Anchorage G2 for a brief stop before underway for routine training on July 16; Anchored at Explosives Anchorage G3 for an overnight stop on July 18; Returned home on July 19; Underway again on Oct. 2.

October 3, The Mason anchored at Explosives Anchorage G3 for an overnight stop; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 on Oct. 4; Underway again on Nov. 20; Anchored at G3 for an overnight stop on Nov. 21; Returned home on Nov. 22; Moved to Berth 6, Pier 14 on Dec. 6; Moved back to Berth 5, Pier 4 on Dec. 7.

January 28, 2022 USS Mason moored at Berth 1, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk after a four-day underway in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Underway again on Feb. 18; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 6 on Feb. 26.

March 19, USS Mason moored at Berth 6, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk after a 10-day underway in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Underway again on May 2; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 6 on May 6.

June 10, The Mason departed homeport for routine training in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Moored at NWS Yorktown for ammo onload from June 13-16; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 5 on June 23; Underway again on June 24; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 7 on June 30; Underway again from Aug. 2-3 and Aug. 11.

August 22, USS Mason moored at Wharf A2 in its new homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Florida; Underway again on Sept. 2.

From September 3-7, the Mason conducted operations at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range, off the east coast of Andros Island, Bahamas; Moored at Wharf F1 on Sept. 11; Underway again on Sept. 21; Moored at Wharf C1 on Sept. 22.

September 26, Cmdr. Justin B. Smith relieved Cmdr. Stephen M. Valerio as the 13th CO of Mason during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

September 27, USS Mason emergency sortied from Naval Station Mayport due to approaching Hurricane Ian; Moored at Wharf B2 on Oct. 2; Underway in support of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) CSG's Task Force Exercise (TFEX), in the Charleston, Jacksonville and Cherry Point Op. Areas, on Oct. 7.

October 23, The Mason moored outboard the USS Lassen (DDG 82) at Wharf C1 on Naval Station Mayport; Moved to Wharf B3 on Oct. 25; Underway again on Oct. 30; Moored at Wharf F2 on Nov. 6; Underway again from Nov. 17-22 and Dec. 10.

December 16, The Mason moored outboard the USS Carney (DDG 64) at Wharf A2 on Naval Station Mayport; Underway again on Jan. 27; Moored at Wharf D1 on Jan. 30.

February 12, 2023 USS Mason moored at Wharf C2 on Naval Station Mayport after a six-day underway in the Jacksonville Op. Area; Moved to Wharf F1 on Feb. 22; Underway again from March 6-10 and March 15.

March 19, USS Mason moored at Berth 2, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise, in the Virginia Capes and Cherry Point Op. Area, on March 25; Moored at Wharf D1 on April 8; Underway again on May 6.

May 7, The Mason moored at Berth 2, Pier 12 on Naval Station Norfolk for a four-day port call; Moored at Wharf C1 on May 14; Underway again on May 22; Moored at Wharf D1 on May 25; Underway again on June 9; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk from June 11-15.

July 24, The Mason moored at Wharf F1 on Naval Station Mayport after a 39-day underway for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), in the Cherry Point, Charleston, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral and Virginia Capes Op. Areas; Brief underway on Aug. 4; Emergency sortied due to approaching Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 29; Moored at Wharf D1 on Sept. 1; Underway again on Sept. 23.

September 25, The Mason moored at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown for a five-day ammo onload; Moored at Wharf A2 on Oct. 3.

October 13, USS Mason departed Mayport for a scheduled deployment, as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG-2.

October 24, The Mason moored at NATO Fuel Pier in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, for a one-day stop to refuel; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound on Oct. 28; Participated in a PHOTOEX on Nov. 3; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on Nov. 4.

November 26, USS Mason apprehended five pirates after responding to a distress call from Liberian-flagged tanker M/V Central Park, while underway in the Gulf of Aden; Moored at Tanker Berth 11 in Port of Djibouti, Djibouti, for a brief stop to refuel on Nov. 30.

December 21, The Mason conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196), while underway in the southern Red Sea in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait southbound on Dec. 25.?

January 8, 2024 USS Mason conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, while underway in the southern Red Sea; Launched its first Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) on targets in Yemen, just after midnight, on Jan. 12; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) on Jan. 16; Moored at Navy Terminal in Port of Duqm, Oman, from Feb. 1?-2?.

March 20, Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Oriola Michael Aregbesola was lost at sea after fell overboard, while the USS Mason was underway in the southern Red Sea.

April 7, The Mason conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), while underway in the southern Red Sea; Moored at Berth 10, Deep Water Jetty, Mina Salman Port in Manama, Bahrain, from April 21- May 5; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on June 7; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound on June 14.

June 14, The Mason moored at Berth 1, Pier 1 on Naval Station Rota, Spain; Moved to Berth 3, Pier 1 on June 18; Departed Rota on June 21; Moored at NATO Fuel Pier in Ponta Delgada, Azores, for a brief stop to refuel on June 23; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on Naval Station Norfolk from June 29-30.

July 2, USS Mason moored at Wharf D1 on Naval Station Mayport following an extended eight-and-a-half month deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet AoR.

August 20, The Mason departed Naval Station Mayport to offload ammunition; Moored at NWS Yorktown from Aug. 21-25; Moored Wharf D1 on Aug. 26; Underway again on Sept. 16; Moored at Wharf C1 on Sept. 22; Emergency sortied due to approaching Tropical Storm Helene on Sept. 25; Returned home on Sept. 28; Underway again on Sept. 29.

October 10, The Mason moored at Berth 6, Pier 5 on Naval Station Norfolk for a two-day port call; Moored at Wharf C1 on Oct. 13; Day-long underway on Oct. 16; Brief underway off the coast of Jacksonville on Oct. 21; Underway again from Nov. 4-9.

November 14, Capt. Chavius G. Lewis relieved Cmdr. Justin B. Smith as CO of the DDG 87 during a change-of-command ceremony at Charlie Wharf.

November 22, USS Mason moored at Wharf C2 on Naval Station Mayport after a four-day underway in the Jacksonville Op. Area; Moved to Wharf B2 on Friday afternoon.