USS Barry (DDG-52)

In January 1994, Barry completed her first combined Combat Systems Assessment (CSA)/Cruise Missile Tactical Qualification (CMTQ), achieving one of the Atlantic Fleet's highest score to date. In March, Barry participated in exercise MAYFLYEX 94 where her Aegis combat system successfully engaged and destroyed several Exocet anti-ship cruise missiles. In April, Barry wrapped up her preparations for her first overseas combat deployment by participating in FLEETEX 2–94 with other units of the George Washington Battle Group. A highlight of this exercise was a covert SEAL team extraction in shallow water only a few miles off the Carolina coast, successfully validating the stealth characteristics of the DDG-51 class.

On 20 May 1994, Barry departed Norfolk, Virginia on her first Mediterranean deployment. During Barry's maiden deployment, she served alongside the aircraft carrier USS George Washington as the backdrop for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. Barry also sailed the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas as "Red Crown" in support of the No-Fly Zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

On 7 October 1994, Barry received orders to proceed to the Persian Gulf in response to Iraq's massing of troops on the Kuwaiti border. In what would become known as Operation Vigilant Warrior, Barry's participation included escort of both George Washington and an amphibious assault group to anchorage off Kuwait City. Barry also served as alternate Persian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator (AAWC), and principal Tomahawk strike platform during the crisis. Barry received a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the NATO Medal for her actions during the deployment and returned home to Norfolk, Virginia on 17 November 1994.

In January 1995, Barry began a three-month SRA at Moon Engineering located in Portsmouth, Virginia. This SRA included the Women at Sea (WAS) modification.

In March 2003 she was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 26.[1]

In 2004, Barry participated at the annual Fleet Week in New York City.

In 2006, Barry joined USS Gonzalez in providing cover for Orient Queen, a cruise ship chartered by the United States to help evacuate American citizens during the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon conflict.[2]

On 1 March 2011 Barry was dispatched to the Mediterranean Sea in response to the 2011 Libyan civil war. On 19 March 2011, the Navy reported that Barry fired 55 Tomahawk cruise missiles to suppress the Libyan air defense system in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.[3][4] The official codename for the U.S. part of the operation is Operation Odyssey Dawn.[5] On 28 March, Barry assisted a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion from Patrol Squadron Five and an A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft attacking a group of three Libyan Coast Guard boats which were firing upon merchant vessels.[6]

In late August 2013 she was ordered, alongside her sister ships Gravely, Mahan and Ramage to patrol the eastern Mediterranean Sea in response to rising rumors of an imminent military intervention in the Syrian civil war.

In early 2016, Barry conducted a hull swap with USS Lassen, in which the two crews switched ships. Lassen operated out of Yokosuka from 2005 to 2016. Barry completed midlife modernization prior to making the switch and was outfitted with Aegis Baseline 9, the latest combat system, which is capable of defensive and offensive operations against aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, surface ships, submarines and shore targets. Barry also received a fully integrated bridge, quality-of-life upgrades, and advanced galley during refit.

On 10 April and 24 April 2020, Barry transited the Taiwan Strait.[7]

• Navy Unit Commendation - (Jan 1994-Dec 1997, Oct 1997-Apr 1998, 5-31 Mar 2011)
• Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - (2-8 Jun 1994, Jun-Nov 1994, Apr-Sep 2002, Jan 2011-Nov 2012)
• Navy E Ribbon - (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2011, 2013)
• Humanitarian Service Medal - (Jul-Aug 2006)
• Battenberg Cup - (1994, 1996, 1998)