USS Spruance Fires Deck Gun in Rare Modern Naval Engagement

A U.S. Navy destroyer has used its main deck gun against another vessel for the first time in nearly four decades. The USS Spruance opened fire on the Iranian cargo ship Touska on April 19, marking a rare return to a form of naval combat largely absent since the Cold War.

The engagement involved the ship’s 5-inch Mk 45 gun, a weapon still standard across the fleet but seldom used against surface targets in real-world operations. Modern naval warfare typically relies on missiles and airpower, making this incident stand out in both method and context.

A Tactic Not Seen Since 1988

The last confirmed use of a U.S. Navy deck gun against another ship occurred during Operation Praying Mantis. That operation followed the mining of the USS Samuel B. Roberts and escalated into a direct confrontation with Iranian naval forces.

During that engagement, U.S. surface ships exchanged missile fire and used deck guns to finish off damaged vessels, including the Iranian fast attack ship IRIS Joshan. The operation resulted in the destruction of multiple Iranian assets and remains one of the largest U.S. Navy surface actions since World War II.

What Happened in the Recent Incident

The April 2026 encounter differed in both scale and objective. The Touska was an unarmed cargo vessel attempting to evade a naval blockade. Fire from the Spruance’s gun disabled the ship by striking its engine room rather than sinking it outright.

Boarding teams later seized the vessel, signaling that the goal was interdiction rather than destruction. The engagement reflects a controlled use of force, focused on stopping movement rather than engaging a peer naval threat.

Context Within Ongoing Operations

The incident took place during heightened tensions tied to Operation Epic Fury. Much of Iran’s larger naval capability has already been degraded, leaving smaller craft and limited options for direct confrontation.

Unlike 1988, the strategic effect appears more contained. While Operation Praying Mantis led to a reduction in Iranian attacks on shipping, the Touska incident has not produced a similar shift. Iranian authorities have condemned the seizure and called for the ship’s return.