Hegseth is in Panama this week for Panamax 2026 where he reaffirmed U.S. commitment to the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition mission to dismantle dangerous narco-terrorists that threaten the safety, security, and sovereignty of the Western Hemisphere.
Onboard Gridley, Hegseth met with members of the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 and the U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (USCG LEDET) 102 as well as addressed the ship’s crew.
“The defense of the Homeland lives on the USS Gridley,” said Hegseth. “Every aspect of this mission has contributed to ensuring the American people can sleep soundly, because there are sailors like those on USS Gridley, like sailors all around the world right now in tough conditions, who do it because they love their nation.”
Gridley deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in February of this year to escort the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) around South America as part of Operation Southern Seas. In June, the ship shifted mission sets and continued underway in support of Operation Southern Spear.
This deployment came on the heels of Gridley’s 9-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th, and 7th fleets, supporting the freedom of navigation in the Arabian Sea while in 5th Fleet and supporting operations to uphold and free and open Indo-Pacific in 7th Fleet.
“On behalf of the President of the United States and the Department of War, USS Gridley, well done,” said Hegseth. “Your tour is almost complete. You've done an incredible job. A few more missions to undertake. You're serving us well. We are so proud of you.”
Since transiting the Panama Canal, Gridley will now operate in the Eastern Pacific in support of Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) and remains dedicated to Department of War-directed operations and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit trafficking, deter malign actors, and protect the Homeland—demonstrating precision, professionalism, and the power of strong international partnerships.