USS Porter Begins Fleet Operational Sea Training

14 September 2021

From Lt. j.g. Brinn Hefron, USS Porter Public Affairs

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) began Fleet Operational Sea Training (FOST), Sept. 13, 2021 following a scheduled port visit in Plymouth, England.

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FOST is headquartered at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport in the United Kingdom and delivers operational training for surface ships, submarines, Royal Fleet Auxiliaries and Strike Groups of the Royal Navy and other NATO affiliated navies.

“Porter and her crew are ready and excited for the upcoming challenge of FOST,” said Cmdr. Thomas Ralston, commanding officer, USS Porter. “The crew has been preparing for the last several months for this training event. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work alongside the Royal Navy and strengthen our relationships with our allies, as well as increase capacity and interoperability.”

210912-N-CE622-0138 PLYMOUTH, United Kingdom (Sept. 12, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) gets underway in preparation for upcoming Flag Officer Seamanship Training (FOST), Sept. 12, 2021. Porter, forward deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its 10th Patrol in the U.S. Sixth fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katie Cox)

The training evolution started with the Material Assessment and Safety Check, an inspection focusing on the safety, cleanliness and overall readiness of the ship and her crew.

Over the next three weeks, FOST assessors will train with the officers and crew of Porter on advanced warfighting tactics, including testing weapons systems during gunnery exercises, conducting seamanship and maneuvering exercises, and responding to various damage control environments. The evolutions will progress from single threat to multi-threat scenarios with a focus on certification from the Royal Navy in advanced warfare areas.

During the certification, Porter will be assessed by FOST inspectors as well as the U.S. Navy's Afloat Training Group (ATG), Norfolk. The mission of ATG is to provide dynamic, quality afloat training to Sailors to ensure a combat-ready force capable of performing a broad spectrum of maritime missions.

Porter, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its 10th patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S national security interests in Europe and Africa.

U.S. Sixth 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.

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