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USS Gravely deploys

Posted at 1:37 PM, Feb 11, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-11 14:19:15-05

The USS Gravely has set sail on its maiden voyage.

The guided missile destroyer and its crew are headed to the Mediterranean.

The USS Gravely is named after Vice Admiral Samuel Gravely, Jr.

He was the first African American in the Navy to command a warship, achieve officer rank, and to command a Navy fleet.

This deployment comes days after President Obama halted Friday's deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman to the Persian Gulf because of budget cuts.

The USS Barry deployed on Thursday to the Mediterranean.

Tug boats assist the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) get underway from its Norfolk homeport today. Departing on their maiden deployment during Black History Month, the Gravely crew is headed for the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility to participate in Ballistic Missile Defense escort operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William E. Blake/Released)

Tug boats assist the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) get underway from its Norfolk homeport today. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William E. Blake/Released)

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(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William E. Blake/Released)