Senator Edward Kennedy, U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch, then Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vernon E. Clark USN (Ret.)

Preble departed San Diego in June 2004 for her maiden deployment with the USS Belleau Wood Expeditionary Strike Group.

In 2008, Preble successfully completed an accelerated training cycle and passed a rigorous Inspection Board and Survey (INSURV) in May.

In 2010 Preble shifted to align with the USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group and hosted sailors from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

From 28 February to 6 March 2011, she conducted these patrols in the Exclusive Economic Zones of various Pacific island nations as part of the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative.

Also, Preble's embarked detachment of Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopters from squadron HSL-43 was used to conduct routine aerial patrols, enabling the surveillance team to search multiple areas of interest.

Preble launched a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Dual II with Software Upgrade (SWUP) in order to intercept a Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM).

The MDA Director Lieutenant General Heath Collins said this in regards to the mission “This successful intercept against an advanced threat-representative target in the final stages of flight demonstrated the power and flexibility of the Aegis Weapon System paired with the Standard Missile 6”.

Above is a ships sail while below is a lion’s head with a crossed sword and cutlass.The traditional Navy colors were chosen for the shield because dark blue and gold represents the sea and excellence respectively.

The attack and bombardment at Tripoli's Harbor in 1803 against Barbary pirates, led by Commodore Preble, is shown by the embattlement and scarlet rayonny and represents the fire and destruction brought to the port.

Scarlet is symbolic for courage, the fiery resolve and Preble's determination to end attacks in the region on American trading vessels.

The ships sail is another reference to the successful Tripoli attack and blockade as well as Preble's other commands, particularly USS Constitution and the frigate Essex.

The blue escutcheon, is shaped as an AEGIS radar panel, represents the advanced technologies and modern warfare systems of the new Preble.