The USS Mason (DDG-87) is a modern Arleigh Burke-class (Flight IIA) guided-missile destroyer serving in the United States Navy. Constructed at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, her keel was laid on 19 January 2000, and she was launched and christened on 23 June 2001. She was officially commissioned on 12 April 2003 at Port Canaveral, Florida, and is homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. This vessel is the 21st of her class, distinguished by her advanced Aegis combat system, including missile defense capabilities. Her physical profile includes a sleek, modern destroyer hull designed for high speed and agility, equipped with vertical launching systems for a variety of missile types, and advanced radar and sensor arrays. Named in honor of the crew of the second USS Mason (DE-529), which was notable for its predominantly Black crew during a period of racial segregation, the ship's crest and motto, “Proudly We Serve,” pay tribute to the legacy of bravery, diversity, and service. The crest features symbols such as opposing lions, a trident, and a combined anchor and cross, reflecting her naval heritage, strength, and the achievements of her namesakes. USS Mason has an extensive operational record, including deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and various exercises in the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean, and Red Sea regions. Notably, she has engaged in anti-piracy operations, intercepted missile threats, and responded to multiple attacks from Houthi rebels off Yemen's coast, where she successfully intercepted inbound missiles and launched defensive countermeasures. Her distinguished service was recognized in 2017 when she received the Battenberg Cup, awarded to the Navy's best all-around ship or submarine in the Atlantic Fleet. Her maritime significance lies in her advanced missile defense, her role in regional security operations, and her historic engagements in missile interdiction, marking her as a vital asset in modern naval warfare.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.