DESRON 1 Changes Command
The ceremony marked the transition of leadership for a squadron that has sustained a demanding operational schedule, while preparing for future missions.
During his command, Abbott led DESRON 1 through a significant period of deployment recovery and advanced tactical training. Following a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation, the squadron returned to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego.
Abbott is a San Diego native, graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles and holds master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the National War College. He assumed command of DESRON 1 in August 2025. He served as officer in tactical command for multiple Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) events, enhancing the squadron’s ability to integrate surface assets and aircraft in a complex maritime environment.
DESRON 1 advanced the integration of unmanned remote assets into surface operations, including a successful counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) shootdown with the AGM-114 Hellfire missile. The squadron expanded its operations through integration with Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron (USVRON) 1 and autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) Sea Hunter, helping to refine the coordination of manned-unmanned teams at sea.
Burkett assumed command after serving as DESRON 1’s deputy commander since Aug. 1, 2026. A native of Arcade, New York, Burkett graduated from the University of Rochester in 2001. He holds master’s degrees from Harvard University’s Kennedy School and the National War College and is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow. As Burkett takes command, DESRON 1 will continue building on the readiness, tactical discipline and operational experience developed under Abbott’s leadership.
Operationally assigned to Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG 1), DESRON 1 provides command and control for its assigned Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers and develops tactical proficiency that is needed to operate in contested maritime domains. The squadron’s mission is to directly support the strike group’s ability to conduct sustained naval operations, integrate with partners and respond to threats across the full spectrum of conflict.
CSG 1 includes flagship Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, and the staff and ships of DESRON 1.
The strike group brings together carrier aviation, surface combatants and embarked staffs to provide credible naval power in support of maritime operations.
DESRON 1 is operationally assigned to CSG-1 and exercises operational control of five Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers: USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Stethem (DDG 63), USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Chafee (DDG 90), and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110).
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