The vessel is commonly used in overseas missions. The Coast Guard typically takes a lead role in security missions at sea close to the United States.

The USS Gravely is participating as part of the Defense Department's response to Trump's executive orders on the border, officials said.

The US Navy has deployed the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely to strengthen security operations at the US-Mexico border, in a move Pentagon officials described as part of President Donald Trump’s executive orders on border protection.