BOSTON, Mass. – With the US Navy increasingly stretched trying to meet its commitments in both the Pacific and the Middle East, the Department of the Navy announced today that it will be re-activating its entire mothball fleet for upcoming Middle East deployments, including the USS Constitution.

According to Navy officials, the Constitution, currently celebrating the 200th anniversary of her victory over the British warship HMS Guerriere, will relieve the destroyer USS Porter, which was damaged last month in a collision in the Strait of Hormuz while playing chicken with a lighthouse.

"I cannot think of a better way to honor those who fought in the War of 1812, as well as celebrate Constitution's past successes, than for the ship to once again sail under arms," said Commander Matt Bonner, the 72nd commanding officer of the Constitution.

Navy officials are also hoping that the favorable publicity will help raise awareness of its core mission of protecting the freedom of the seas and remind the public about the 285 ships in the Navy's inventory that do not involve SEALs.