The ship’s presence in the Baltic Sea is a demonstration of the U.S. Navy’s continued commitment to collective defense of the European region and reinforces the strong bond between the United States and Sweden.

“The Forrest Sherman crew has worked incredibly hard to get this point in our deployment. I am extremely impressed with our team for executing a safe inbound transit this morning,” said Cmdr. Greg Page, commanding officer of Forrest Sherman. “This port visit will give the crew a chance to experience the rich history of Sweden while gaining and strengthening relationships with a key European Partner.”

Prior to arriving in Stockholm, Forrest Sherman participated in a variety of passing exercises (PASSEX) with NATO Allies and Partners. She conducted communication and maneuvering drills with Italian aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (C-551) in the Bay of Cadiz and also sailed alongside members of Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) One in the North Sea, including FGS Berlin, HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362), HNLMS Van Amstel (F831), and FGS Erfurt.

The ship also conducted flashing light and flag hoist drills and division tactics with the German frigate FGS Sachsen (F219) and Polish ships ORP General Kazimierz Pulaski (FFG 272) and Polish offshore patrol vessel ORP Skazak (241) on separate occasions. She most recently conducted maneuvering drills and small boat operations with the Swedish Navy Koster-class mine countermeasures vessel HMS Vinga (M75).

As strategic Partners, the U.S. and Swedish Navy routinely operate together to build combined maritime interoperability. U.S. Navy ships routinely operate in the international waters of the North Atlantic and Baltic to strengthen our relationships and interoperability with our many NATO Allies and Partner countries in the region.  

"Sweden and the United States share a close defense relationship and common values,” said Ambassador Erik Ramanathan. “The visit of the USS Forrest Sherman demonstrates that and provides U.S. sailors the opportunity to see Stockholm, appreciate its beauty, and reinforce the strong bonds between our two countries."

While in port Stockholm, the ship’s leadership will attend a changing of the guard ceremony, participate in a media tour and host a dinner with U.S. and Swedish leadership and representatives, in addition to hosting a number of shipboard tours for members of the Embassy. Members of the ship’s crew will participate in local tours around the city of Stockholm.

USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) is deployed to the European theater of operations and participating in a range of maritime activities in support of U.S. Sixth Fleet and NATO Allies and European Partners.

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