USS Ramage destroyer heads from Norfolk to Mediterranean. "Last year when we deployed, we were the only ballistic missile defense ship on the East Coast." In this deployment, the Ramage will be joined by several more ships with the same capability. The USS Ramage can do a lot of things, but one particular capability could make it more popular than ever: Ballistic missile defense.

By Hugh Lessig, for Daily Press

In civilian-speak, the Ramage has missiles that can shoot down enemy missiles, and that makes it a prized asset for the U.S. military in today's world. The guided-missile destroyer left Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday for a six-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a routine deployment, but recent developments have made life somewhat less routine.

In September, the U.S. canceled a ground-based missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic, preferring a sea-based missile defense to protect Israel and Europe from short-range missile threats. Just this week, the Navy Times reported that demand for ballistic missile defense ships is expected to increase, partly because of rumblings from Iran. The growing demand isn't news to the Ramage's skipper, Cmdr. Peter G. Galluch, who spoke with reporters before the ship left. He said the demand has been evident over the long term. "I would say that we're unique and getting less unique," he said. "Last year when we deployed, we were the only ballistic missile defense ship on the East Coast."

In this deployment, the Ramage will be joined by several more ships with the same capability. "It's a growing capability that the Navy has, to shoot down ballistic missiles in flight," said Galluch. "It's fast becoming a core mission of the Navy." The crew of the Ramage found out about its current deployment last year, so Tuesday's departure was not in response to any immediate threat. But one advantage of a sea-based deterrent is its flexibility. It can move to wherever the threat exists. And a missile defense system based on ships prowling international waters is perhaps less politically complicated than negotiating with other countries over where to put a land-based system.

And just being nearby can send a signal to any country.

USS Ramage
Crew: About 270 sailors
Length: 505 feet
Namesake: Vice Adm. Lawson P. "Red" Ramage, who was awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II for actions during an attack on a pre-dawn convoy
Combat systems: Ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, advanced anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles