USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and a P-3C from Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 helped kick off Dogu Akdeniz, an annual Turkish-led naval training exercise, Oct. 27.

Held biennially, the exercise is meant to increase interoperability between the U.S. and Turkey.

Quick Facts:
* Training focused on a number of mission areas, including anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-subsurface warfare, and basic seamanship.

* The exercise demonstrated the U.S. Navy's continued commitment to our relationship with Turkey and a secure and prosperous Europe.

* USS Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. The ship deployed from Naval Station Rota, July 22.

* VP 9, based out of Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, is conducting maritime patrol operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

* U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.