Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO SIX
"Par Excellence"
Destroyer Squadron Two Six (DESRON 26) was established in 1950 and saw combat action during the Korean War until 1952.
The squadron then homeport shifted from the Pacific theatre to the Atlantic, homeporting in Norfolk, Virginia. During the Vietnam War, DESRON 26 saw combat action with the Pacific Fleet from 1964 to 1970.
From 1971 to 1974, the squadron was selected by the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Zumwalt, to test a new manning concept, in which ships would be manned and commanded by officers one rank junior to those normally assigned. Thus, DESRON 26 earned the nickname ‘The Mod Squad’.
Since then, the squadron has seen extensive operations with NATO allies and during the Global War on Terrorism. The squadron was disestablished in November 2023 and then reestablished in January 2026.