The Higgins (DDG 76) is the U.S. Navy's 26th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and is named in honor of Colonel William R. (Rich) Higgins, USMC, who was kidnapped on Feb. 17, 1988, while serving as the Chief, Observer Group Lebanon and Senior Military Observer, United States Military Observer Group, United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (Palestine). In August 1989, a cell linked to Hizbullah murdered him in response to the IDF kidnapping of Sheikh Abdul Karim Obeid, a senior cleric and leader of the guerrilla group who was involved in the kidnapping. His body was dumped, over a year later, on a Beirut side street.

The keel was laid down on November 14, 1996, at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine; The ship was launched and christened on October 4, 1997. Mrs. Robin Higgins, the widow of Col. William Higgins, served as sponsor of the ship. Cmdr. James L.T. Smith is the prospective commanding officer.

March 26 ,1999 The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Higgins departed Bath, Maine, for the last time, for a Dependent's Day Cruise to Portland, Maine; Underway in the Gulf of Maine from March 29-30; Initial ammo onload at Naval Weapons Station Earl, N.J., from April 1-2; Port call to Naval Station Norfolk from April 5-12; Brief visit to Naval Station Mayport on 17th.

April 24, USS Higgins was commissioned during a ceremony at Port Everglades, Fla.

April 27, The Higgins underway for Combat Systems Ship's Qualifications Trials (CSSQT) and a transit to San Diego, Calif.

April 30, DDG 76 pulled into Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, for a three-day port call; Another stop to refuel from May 6-7; Anchored off Cartagena, Colombia, from May 10-14.

May 16, The guided-missile destroyer moored at Rodman Naval Base in Balboa, Panama, to refuel after transiting the Panama Canal on May 15; Port visit to Mazatlan, Mexico, from May 26-29.

June 1, USS Higgins arrived at its homeport of Naval Station San Diego for the first time.

July 19, The Higgins pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a brief port call to take on fuel and supplies before conducting Air and Undersea Warfare testing in the Barking Sands OPAREA, off Kauai; Another visit to Pearl Harbor from Aug. 2-6; Anchored off Lahaina, Maui, from Aug. 6-9; Departed Pearl Harbor Aug. 10.

August 19, USS Higgins pulled into Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, to offload ammunition; Underway for Leaders to Sea program from Aug. 21-24.

August 24, DDG 76 moored at Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego to serve as a backdrop for a Kenny Loggins concert; Returned to Naval Station San Diego on Aug. 25.

September 2, The guided-missile destroyer moored to Deperm Pier on NSB Point Loma in San Diego for a two-week magnetic deperming; Underway for a Family Day Cruise on Sept. 15.

September 20, USS Higgins entered the Southwest Marine shipyard for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA); In dry-dock from Oct. 5-20; Underway for sea trials from Dec. 7-8; Ammo onload at Seal Beach from Dec. 15-16.

From January 24-28, 2000, the Higgins was underway for routine training in the southern California Op. Area; Underway for Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART) II on Feb. 7; Port visit to San Francisco, Calif., from Feb. 11-14.

February 17, USS Higgins arrived at Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, Calif., for a four-day visit to upgrade its hardware and software systems; Underway for CART II from Feb. 28- March 3; Underway for a Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) A on March 27.

March 31, DDG 76 arrived in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, for a three-day port visit; Underway for TSTA B from April 27-28; May 1-5; and 9-12th; Ammo onload at Seal Beach from May 15-18; Underway for Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) from May 22-24.

June 2, Cmdr. William R. Ault relieved Cmdr. James L.T. Smith as CO of the Higgins; Underway for NSFS spotter services from June 6-9.

August 1, USS Higgins pulled into Naval Station Everett, Wash., for an overnight stay before participating in Seattle Sea Fair from Aug. 2-7; Underway for ASW exercise from Sept. 5-8; Underway for a Family Day Cruise on Sept. 11 after a three-day magnetic deperming at Naval Submarine Base Point Loma; Ammo onload at NWS Seal Beach from Sept. 26-28; Underway for Middle East Force Exercise (MEFEX) Phase II from Oct. 2-11.

November 9, USS Higgins departed San Diego, along with USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS Hewitt (DD 966), for its maiden western Pacific deployment.

November 15, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Pearl Harbor for a three-day port call; Port visits to Sydney (Nov. 29- Dec. 4) and Bunbury, Australia, (Dec. 12-17).

December 31, The Higgins arrived in Manama, Bahrain, for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the New Year.

November 2, 2002 USS Higgins departed Naval Station San Diego for a scheduled deployment, as part of USS Constellation (CV 64) Battle Group, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

December 1, DDG 76 pulled into Changi Naval Base for a six-day visit to Singapore.

March 21, 2003 Thirty U.S. Navy and coalition warships, including the Higgins, currently assigned to Naval Forces Central Command AoO, launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

April 24, Cmdr. Randy Hill relieved Cmdr. Mike Gilday as CO of the USS Higgins during a change of crew and command ceremony in Singapore. Hill’s crew, the former crew of USS Benfold (DDG 65), is now the crew of the Higgins. Gilday’s crew will return soon to San Diego and take over the Benfold, fully completing the first ever crew swap cycle of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. The former Benfold crew arrived in Singapore April 16 and following four days of liberty and the arrival of DDG 76 on April 20, began the turnover process.

September 16, U.S and Kuwaiti naval forces concluded the annual security exercise Eager Mace 2003 in early September, off the coast of Kuwait. The month-long schedule of events consisted of precision tactical maneuvering and visit, board, search and seizure demonstrations. The Higgins was the centerpiece of the U.S. component of the exercise.

October 17, The third crew exchange in the Navy’s Sea Swap program took place recently in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, when USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) crew members donned USS Higgins ballcaps and commenced their deployment after relieving USS Benfold crew members aboard the Higgins’ hull. After the swap, team Benfold crew members flew back to San Diego to man the hull of the John Paul Jones.

March 9, 2004 USS Higgins pulled into Sydney, Australia, for a scheduled port visit.

April 4, USS Higgins returned to San Diego after more than a 16-month deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO).

May 6, 2005 USS Higgins departed homeport, as part of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group, for a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

October 2, The Higgins pulled into Goa, India, after completing the second at-sea phase of the Malabar exercise.

November 8, USS Higgins returned to Naval Base San Diego after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR. The ship visited several ports, including Hong Kong; Sepangar, Malaysia; Jebel Ali, U.A.E.; and Phuket, Thailand.

In the second half of January 2006, The Higgins conducted Mobility-Navigation and Seamanship (MOB-N and MOB-S) training while transiting to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a three-day port visit.

September 30, The guided-missile destroyer is currently participating in San Diego Fleet Week Sea and Air Parade.

October 7, USS Higgins arrived in San Francisco, Calif., to participate in Fleet Week 2006 celebration.

November 9, Cmdr. Jeffrey P. Menne relieved Cmdr. Jesse A. Wilson as the 7th CO of USS Higgins.

March 2, 2007 The Higgins completed the Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), as part of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) CSG.

April 2, USS Higgins departed San Diego for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

May 8, Capt. Adam Levitt, Commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, relieved Cmdr. Jeffrey P. Menne "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command." Capt. Roy Kitchener, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 is currently serving as the acting CO.

May 23, The Higgins arrived in Arabian Gulf to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

June 2, U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces concluded exercise Nautical Union 2007 in the Arabian Gulf June 2. USS Higgins trained with Saudi Arabian forces during the eight-day exercise, which focused on improving regional cooperation and efficiency in maintaining stability in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operation.

September 30, USS Higgins returned to homeport after a six-month deployment.

January 24, 2008 USS Higgins departed San Diego for a surge western Pacific deployment, as part of USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.

February 14, DDG 76 departed Apra Harbor, Guam, after a three-day port call.

February 28, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Pohang, Republic of Korea, for a scheduled port visit.

June 3, USS Higgins returned to Naval Base San Diego after a four-month deployment.

The Higgins underwent its first Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) in the British Aerospace Engineering’s San Diego shipyard over the summer.

December 12, Cmdr. Carl W. Meuser relieved Cmdr. F. Winton Smith Jr. as commanding officer of USS Higgins. The guided-missile destroyer pulled into San Francisco for a brief port visit before returning to homeport after participating in a Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) exercise in the Gulf of Alaska.

July 16, 2009 USS Higgins departed Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled deployment.

September 1, The Higgins reported on station in the Mediterranean Sea, following completion of a normal western transit, which included consecutive operations in the 3rd, 7th, and 5th Fleets.

September 6, The Higgins pulled for the second time in Haifa, Israel, for a brief port call. In just a few weeks, additional Aegis vessels will arrive here to participate in the biennial Juniper Cobra missile defense exercise that the IDF has been holding with the US European Command (EUCOM) and Missile Defense Agency since 2001. DDG 76 is one of 15 guided-missile destroyers, fitted with the full Aegis BMD capability in the U.S. Navy, allowing them to detect, track and engage enemy ballistic missiles. By the end of Fiscal Year 2010, the U.S. Navy will have 21 BMD-capable Aegis ships, and is building towards 32 ships in 2015.

September 12, USS Higgins departed Split, Croatia, after a scheduled port visit.

September 25, The Higgins is currently participating in a multinational exercise Jackal Stone 2009, with nine other partner nations, off the coast of Croatia.

November 25, USS Higgins arrived in Bodrum, Turkey, for a four-day port visit.

November 30, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Souda Bay, Greece, for a routine port call.

January 14, 2010 USS Higgins arrived off the coast of Haiti to provide afloat logistical services for the Coast Guard helicopters after a magnitude-7.0 quake devastated the nation Tuesday afternoon.

February 3, USS Higins returned to San Diego after six-and-a-half month around-the-world deployment.

January 18, 2011 The Higgins departed homeport for a Friends and Family Day Cruise.

January 20, USS Higgins departed Naval Base San Diego for an independent deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

February 25, The guided-missile destroyer arrived in Maldives in support of the U.S. Navy's agreement to provide maritime domain awareness (MDA) to the Maldives Coast Guard. USS Higgins recently visited Phuket, Thailand.

May 18, The Higgins is currently participating in a multi-national training exercise Iron Siren with United Arab Emirates Marines, in the Arabian Gulf. The ship recently departed Jebel Ali, U.A.E., after a port visit to Dubai.

August 12, DDG 76 anchored in Victoria Harbor for a scheduled port visit to Hong Kong; Inport Apra Harbor, Guam, from Aug. 21-2?.

September 7, USS Higgins returned to San Diego after seven-and-a-half month deployment. While in the Central Command AoO, the ship was assigned to Command Task Group Iraqi Maritime and participated in oil platform defense of Al Basra Oil Terminal. Higgins also participated in multiple exercises operations with coalition partners including Operation Goal Keeper, a multi-national exercise with Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., and Qatar; and a mine countermeasure and surface combatant exercise Arabian Gauntlet.

December 2, Cmdr. Andrew F. Carlson relieved Cmdr. Rome Ruiz as CO of the Higgins during a change-of-command ceremony at NBSD. Cmdr. Ruiz was the commanding officer since June 11, 2010.

June 29, 2012 The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Pearl Harbor for the in-port phase of a multi-national exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012; Underway for at-sea phase on July 10.

October 1, USS Higgins arrived in Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Calif., for a four-day visit to Naval Surface Warfare Center to conduct combat and weapon system assessment, in preparation for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), with the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.

January 14, 2013 USS Higgins departed Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled deployment as part of the Nimitz CSG. The aircraft carrier will deploy later this Spring due to emergent repairs to its cooling pumps.

From Jan. 20-23, the Higgins participated in an Undersea Warfare Exercise (USWEX) 13-1 in the Hawaiian Op. Area.

February 4, DDG 76 anchored in Malakal Harbor for a five-day port visit to Koror, Republic of Palau.

February 15, USS Higgins moored at Changi Naval Base in Singapore for a four-day port call.

From March 24-25, the Higgins participated in a joint air and surface exercise with Destroyer Squadron 50, USS Green Bay (LPD 20), USS Sirocco (PC 6), USS Chinook (PC 9), USS Whirlwind (PC 11) and several United States air assets, in the Arabian Gulf.

April 15, The guided-missile destroyer recently pulled into Jebel Ali, U.A.E., for a liberty visit to Dubai.?

May 26, USS Higgins moored at Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), Bahrain, for a four-day port call.

May 28, Cmdr. Nicole L. Maver-Shue relieved Cmdr. Andrew F. Carlson as CO of the Higgins during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

June 17, USS Higgins recently arrived again in Bahrain for a liberty port visit to Manama; Anchored off Phuket, Thailand, from Aug. 8-13.

August 23, DDG 76 moored outboard the USS Antietam (CG 54) at Berth 7 on Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for a 10-day port call.

September 4, USS Higgins moored at Berth 7, Yatomi Pier in Port of Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, for a week-long port visit.

September 16, The Higgins recently pulled into Apra Harbor, Guam, for a routine port call.

October 7, USS Higgins returned to homeport after a nine-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AoR.

November 17, The Higgins recently moored at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., for ammo offload.

December ?, DDG 76 moored at Huntington Ingalls Industries Continental Maritime of San Diego shipyard for a five-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

July 28, 2014 The Higgins recenly departed homeport for routine training off San Diego.

October 3, Cmdr. Allen P. Johnson relieved Cmdr. Nicole L. Maver-Shue as the 13th commanding officer of Higgins.

January 14, 2015 USS Higgins departed Pier 8, Naval Base San Diego for a day-long underway to conduct Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment.

February 6, USS Higgins returned to San Diego after underway for routine training; Moored at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island on Feb. 9; Underway for local operations on April 18; Moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammo on April 20; Participated in Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX) from April 25- May 3.

May 18, The guided-missile destroyer departed Naval Base San Diego for Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) cruise off the coast of southern California; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on May 25; Underway for ammo onload at NWS Seal Beach, Calif., on May 26.

July 6, USS Higgins departed San Diego for a scheduled Arabian Gulf deployment; Moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammunition.

July 12, The Higgins arrived in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for a routine port call.

July 27, DDG 76 moored at Delta Fueling Pier in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a brief port call to refuel.

August 5, USS Higgins recently moored at Berth 6, Changi Naval Base in Singapore for a routine port call.

August 15, The Higgins recently moored at Berth 5, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd, Bahrain, for inchop brief and turnover with the USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60).

From August 19-20, the Higgins participated in a training exercise Spartan Kopis 15-03, with the U.S. Coast Guard cutter and an AH-64 Apache helicopter from the 3-6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, currently attached to 185th Theater Aviation Brigade. The goal of Spartan Kopis was to successfully integrate U.S. Army aviation and Navy Central Command assets for overwater operations with the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).

August 28, USS Higgins rescued four people from a burning fishing vessel, with a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB), while underway in the central Arabian Gulf.

November 17, The Higgins participated in a Commander, Task Force (CTF) 55's integrated training event Warfighter Training 2015, with the USS Monsoon (PC 4), USS Chinook (PC 9) and USCGC Monomoy (WPB 1326), while underway in the central Arabian Gulf.

December 1, The guided-missile destroyer participated in a training exercise Spartan Kopis 15-04, while underway in the NAG.

December 25, USS Higgins recently moored at Berth 3, KBSP for a liberty port visit to Manama, Bahrain, and turnover with the USS Ramage (DDG 61); Departed Arabian Gulf on Dec. 2?.

January 5, 2016 USS Higgins anchored in Makham Bay for a liberty port visit to Phuket, Thailand; Transited the Strait of Singapore on Jan. 11; Inport Pearl Harbor from Feb. 1-5.?

February 11, USS Higgins moored at Berth 1, Pier 3 on Naval Base San Diego following a seven-month deployment in support of Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and Maritime Interception Operations (MIO).

March 7, BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair was awarded a $28,2 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-4408) for the USS Higgins' Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Work is expected to be completed by November.

March 14, The Higgins departed homeport for local operations and ammo offload at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 3 on March 23; Moved "dead-stick" to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Continental Maritime of San Diego shipyard on April 18.

May 6, Cmdr. Marc R. Deltete relieved relieved Cmdr. Allen P. Johnson as CO of the USS Higgins during a change-of-command ceremony on board the Non-self-propelled Barracks Ship APL ?, outboard the Higgins.

January 23, 2017 USS Higgins moved "dead-stick" from CMSD shipyard to Berth 6, Pier 12 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway for sea trials on Jan. 24; Moored at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island for a brief stop to onload ammo on Jan. 26; Returned home on Jan. 27.

February 21, USS Higgins moored again at Bravo Pier for a brief stop before underway for routine training; Returned home on March 3.

March 27, DDG 76 moored at Berth 1, Pier 8 on Naval Base San Diego after a nine-day underway in the SOCAL Op. Area.

April 6, Capt. William R. Dally relieved Capt. Thomas R. Williams as Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23 during a change-of-command ceremony on board the Higgins.

April 21, USS Higgins moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego after a four-day underway for routine training; Underway again from April 22-28; Underway for Group Sail, as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) CSG, from May 2-12; Underway again on June 7.

June 17, The Higgins participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX), with the JS Kashima (TV 3508) and JS Harusame (DD 102), while underway off the coast of southern California; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 3 on June 19.

June 26, USS Higgins moored at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) on Naval Base Point Loma for a brief stop before underway for routine training; Returned home on June 30; Commenced a Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV) on July ?.

August 18, USS Higgins moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego after a 17-day underway for Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX) and in support of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) CSG's Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

September ?, Cmdr. Victor J. Garza relieved Cmdr. Marc R. Deltete as the 15th commanding officer of Higgins.

November 17, The guided-missile destroyer departed homeport for a brief underway in the SOCAL Op. Area.

November 20, USS Higgins departed Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled independent deployment.

November 28, The Higgins moored at Wharf W4, Naval Magazine Lualualei in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a brief stop to onload ammo before moored at Wharf B22; Underway on Dec. 1; Inport Apra Harbor, Guam, for a brief stop to refuel on Dec. 11.

December 22, The Higgins moored at Berth 7, Sembawang Terminal in Singapore for a six-day liberty port visit; Transited the Singapore Strait westbound on Dec. 28; Transited the Malacca Strait northbound from Dec. 28-29.

January 13, 2018 USS Higgins conducted a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with the USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), while underway in the Gulf of Oman.

January 25, DDG 76 moored at General Cargo Terminal in Port of Duqm, Oman, for a two-day port call; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on Jan. 29.

January 30, USS Higgins moored at Hamad Port, near Mesaieed, Qatar, for a 16-day port call.

April 1, The Higgins conducted deck landing qualifications with two U.S. Army's UH-60 Black Hawks, assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), while underway off the coast of Kuwait.

April 14, USS Higgins launched 23 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) on Syrian "chemical weapons facilities," early Saturday morning, while underway in the North Arabian Gulf. The strike was retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons last week.

April 28, USS Higgins recently moored at Quay 9 in Port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a liberty visit to Dubai; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on May ?.

May 18, The Higgins anchored 2 n.m. southeast off Ao Makham Deep Sea Port, Thailand, for a four-day liberty visit to Phuket; Transited the Malacca Strait southbound on May 23; Transited the Strait of Singapore eastbound on late Wednesday.

May 27, USS Higgins conducted a "freedom of navigation operation" near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea; Arrived off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, on June 12.

June 13, The guided-missile destroyer moored at Pier M3 on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a one-day port visit to embark friends and family members for a Tiger Cruise.

June 21, USS Higgins moored at Berth 2, Pier 3 on Naval Base San Diego following a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AoR.

July 18, General Dynamics NASSCO was awarded a $72,5 million contract for the execution of USS Higgins' Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA) and includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $89,1 million. Work is expected to be completed by September 2019.

July 25, The Higgins moored at Berth 2, Pier 3 after a one-day underway, off the coast of San Diego, in support of Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) program; Underway again on July 27.

July 30, DDG 76 moored at Wharf 311 on Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach for ammo offload; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 8 on Aug. 3; Day-long underway on Aug. 7; Entered the dry-dock at NASSCO shipyard on Aug. ?.

January 22, 2019 Cmdr. David N. Taft relieved Cmdr. Victor J. Garza as commanding officer of the Higgins.

January 23, USS Higgins undocked and moored pierside at NASSCO shipyard; Moved to Berth 1, Pier 13 in Naval Base San Diego on Oct. ?.

March 9, 2020 The Higgins departed homeport for sea trials following an extended 19-month availability; Moored at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) on Naval Base Point Loma for a brief stop to refuel on March 10; Moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammo on March 11; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 13 on March 12.

May 1, USS Higgins moored at Berth 5, Pier 7 on Naval Base San Diego after a three-day underway off the coast of southern California.

May 8, Cmdr. Nicholas E. Wissel relieved Cmdr. David N. Taft as CO of the Higgins during a brief ceremony aboard the ship.

May 29, The Higgins moored at Berth 1, Pier 13 on Naval Base San Diego after a three-day underway for routine training; Underway again from June 1-5, July 27-31 and Aug. 7; Moored at NFF for a brief stop to refuel on Aug. 10.

August 14, USS Higgins moored at Berth 2, Pier 3 on Naval Base San Diego; Day-long underway on Aug. 18; Underway again on Aug. 28; Moored at Wharf 311 on NWS Seal Beach for ammo onload from Aug. 31- Sept. 3.

September 3, The Higgins conducted Surface Ship Radiated Noise Measurement (SSRNM) testing, off the northeast coast of San Clemente Island; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 2 on Sept. 4; Underway again on Sept. 28; Brief stop at NFF to refuel before returned home on Oct. 2.

October 15, USS Higgins moored at Berth 5, Pier 12 on Naval Base San Diego after a one-day underway off the coast of southern California; Underway again on Nov. 2; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 13 on Nov. 6; Day-long underway on Nov. 12; Underway again on Nov. 16.

November 18, The Higgins moored at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) for a brief stop to refuel before returned home; Day-long underway for INSURV assessment on Nov. 23; Moored at NFF for a brief stop to refuel before underway again on Dec. 3; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 12 on Dec. 8.

January 11, 2021 The Higgins moored at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island for a brief stop to onload ammo before underway in support of the USS Essex (LHD 2) ARG's Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise; Returned home on Jan. 19; Underway for SWATT exercise and Group Sail, as part of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) CSG, on Jan. 29; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 2 from Feb. 19-20.

February 27, USS Higgins moored outboard the USS Shoup (DDG 86) at Berth 6, Pier 3 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway again on April 5; Moored at Wharf 4 in Port Hueneme, for combat systems groom with the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), from April 8-15.

April 20, The Higgins moored at Berth 2, Pier 12 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway again from June 8-10 and June 18; Moored at Wharf 311 on NWS Seal Beach for ammo onload from June 22-26; Returned home on June 28.

July 2, USS Higgins departed San Diego for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX); Departed SOCAL Op. Area en route to Yokosuka, Japan, on July 27; Moored at Wharf B24 on Jiont Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, from Aug. 2-6.

August 16, USS Higgins moored outboard the USS Howard (DDG 83) at Berth 6 in its new homeport of Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.

September 10, Cmdr. Joseph L. McGettigan relieved Cmdr. Nicholas E. Wissel as the 18th CO of Higgins during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

September 16, The Higgins anchored at Yokosuka's Anchorage A-12 for a brief stop to onload ammo before underway for its first forward-deployed patrol; Moored at Berth 1, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo from Sept. 21-23; Moored at Berth 5, RSS Singapura to refuel from Oct. 16-18.

October 25, USS Higgins conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Yukon (T-AO 202), while underway in the South China Sea; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) on Oct. 29; Moored at Akasaki Pier in Fleet Activities Sasebo from Nov. 6-10.

November 19, The Higgins conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), while underway in the East China Sea; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) on Nov. 28; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the JS Tokiwa (AOE 423) on Dec. 6; Conducted operations in Sagami Wan from Dec. 8-9; Anchored at A-12 for ammo offload on Dec. 10.

December 14, USS Higgins moored at Harbor Master Pier (HMP) East in Fleet Activities Yokosuka following a three-month patrol; Anchored at A-10 for ammo onload on Feb. 22; Underway again on Feb. 26

.March 2, 2022 USS Higgins moored at Berth 3, Tango Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for the in-port phase of annual Multi-Sail exercise; Underway for at-sea phase on March 12; Moored outboard the USS Benfold (DDG 65) at HMP West on March 30; Moored outboard the USS Milius (DDG 69) on April 5; Underway in support of national tasking on May 10.

June ?, The Higgins moored at Berth 3, Sierra Wharf on Naval Base Guam; Departed Apra Harbor on June 27; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Yukon on July 5; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) on July 9; Moored at Cruise Terminal in Port of Muara, Brunei, from July 22-26; Transited the San Bernardino Strait northbound on July 30.

August 11, USS Higgins moored outboard the USS Benfold at Berth 7 on Fleet Activities Yokosuka following a three-month patrol; Underway again on Aug. 22.

August 25, The Higgins moored at Berth 2, Sierra Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a one-day port call before participating in exercise Noble Raven 22-1, with the JS Izumo (DDH 183), JS Takanami (DD 110) and HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331); Transited the Balabac Strait westbound on Sept. 5; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Big Horn on Sept. 12.

September 13, USS Higgins moored at Berth 3, Pier 15 in Manila South Harbor, Republic of the Philippines, for a three-day port visit; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Big Horn on Sept. 19; Transited the Taiwan Strait northbound on Sept. 20; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Big Horn, while underway off the west coast of Luzon, on Sept. 24.

October 1, USS Higgins participated in a PHOTOEX with the JS Izumo, JS Takanami, HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338) and a Japanese Oyashio-class submarine, while underway in the South China Sea, at the conclusion of exercise Noble Raven 22-2; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) on Oct. 2.

October 7, The Higgins anchored approximately 3 n.m. southwest of Chuk Samet Port in Sattahip, Thailand, for a four-day liberty visit; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Yukon (T-AO 202), while underway off the northwest coast of Luzon, on Oct. 16; Conducted a fueling-at-sea with the USS Ronald Reagan, while underway in the Philippine Sea, on Oct. 29; Conducted operations in Sagami Wan on Nov. 4; Anchored at A-10 for ammo offload on Nov. 7.

November 10, USS Higgins moored outboard the USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) at HMP East on Fleet Activities Yokosuka following a two-and-a-half month patrol.

November 18, The Higgins moved from HMP East to Berth 12 on Fleet Activities Yokosuka; Entered the Dry Dock #4 on Nov. 30; Undocked and moored at Berth 3 on May ?, 2023; Moved to Berth 12 on July 2?.

August 8, USS Higgins moored at Berth 3 on Fleet Activities Yokosuka after a one-day underway for sea trials, following an eight-month Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA); Brief underway in Sagami Wan on Aug. 18; Anchored at A-10 for ammo onload on Aug. 21; Moored outboard the USS Dewey (DDG 105) at Berth 3 on Aug. 25; Underway again on Sept. 5; Transited the Osumi Strait westbound, just after midnight, on Sept. 8.

September 10, The Higgins moored at Berth 1, Akasaki Pier in Fleet Activities Sasebo for a brief stop to refuel; Transited the Osumi Strait eastbound on Sept. 13; Moored at Berth 3 on Sept. 15; Moved to Berth 12 on Oct. 13;  Held an "Open House," in conjunction with the annual Friendship Day festival, on Oct. 15; Underway again on Oct. 23; Moored at Berth 3 on Nov. 9.

November 17, Capt. Justin L. Harts relieved Capt. Walter C. Mainor as Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 during a change-of-command ceremony on board the Higgins.

November 20, Cmdr. Ronald Jenkins, Jr., relieved Cmdr. Joseph L. McGettigan as CO of the DDG 76 during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

December 13, USS Higgins moved from Berth 3 to Berth 7, outboard the USS Antietam (CG 54), on Fleet Activities Yokosuka; Moved to HMP West on Jan. 12; Moved to HMP East, outboard the USS Howard (DDG 83), on Feb. 13; Underway again on Feb. 16.

February 22, 2024 USS Higgins moored at Navy Pier on White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, for a brief stop to refuel; Moored at Navy Pier again from Feb. 28- March 2; Moored at Jeju Civilian-Military Complex, ROK, from March 5-9; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) on March 10; Anchored at A-10 for ammo onload on March 13.

March 15, USS Higgins moored outboard the USS Dewey at Berth 7 on Fleet Activities Yokosuka; Underway for Multi-Sail exercise on March 22; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Yukon on March 29; Moored at Navy Pier, White Beach Naval Facility from April 6-8; Anchored at Yokosuka's A-12 on April 10; Moored at Berth 6 on April 11.