Destroyer Decatur deploying to Persian Gulf



The 505-foot Decatur was commissioned in 1998. US Navy

Written b Gary Robbins
11:59 a.m., Aug. 16, 2012
Updated 12:08 p.m.

The guide-missile destroyer Decatur will leave for the Persian Gulf region on Friday, starting an eight month deployment in which the ship will support ballistic missile tests and help with security operations.

Decatur is equipped to carry SM-3 missiles, which can be used to knock down land-based missiles. The Pentagon believes that the SM-3 could short circuit an attack launched by a country such as Iran or North Korea.

The Navy says the Decatur will leave 32nd Street at 10 a.m. and will pass beneath the Coronado Bridge at about 10:20 a.m.

Destroyer Decatur deploying to Persian Gulf | UTSanDiego.com