The U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer is one of three destroyers currently helping escort vessels through the strait, defense officials told ABC News.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Mayport-based U.S. Navy warship USS Mason is one of three guided missile destroyers that transited the Strait of Hormuz to operate in the Persian Gulf as part of “Project Freedom,” two U.S. officials told ABC News.
ABC News reported Tuesday that USS Mason, USS Truxtun, and USS Rafael Peralta, all Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, are currently west of the strait operating to protect commercial shipping seeking to transit the strait from Iranian forces, according to officials.
USS Mason departed Naval Station Mayport on March 24 for a scheduled deployment, U.S. Navy officials said at the time, not disclosing the location of the deployment for security reasons.
Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command, spoke with the media Monday, saying two U.S. Navy destroyers were fired upon by the Iranians as they transited the strait, attacking the warships and commercial vessels with small boats, drones and cruise missiles.
Cooper told the media all missiles were shot down before they could hit the warships, and U.S. attack helicopters destroyed seven Iranian small boats. The Navy did not confirm whether USS Mason was one of the ships attacked.
“Project Freedom” is the U.S. military’s effort to defend commercial shipping as they attempt to transit the Strait of Hormuz, using a multi-layered system of ships, aircraft and air defense systems, officials told ABC News.
U.S. officials, including President Trump, said the recent attacks by Iran have not yet violated the ceasefire in place between the two countries as the war goes into its fourth month.