Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed the Black Sea, Feb. 11, after conducting maritime security operations, theater security engagements with allies and partners, and participating in the multinational exercise Sea Shield 2017.

Porter's operations in the Black Sea demonstrated the U.S. commitment to collective security with NATO allies and partners in the region.

"The Porter crew thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Black Sea, including our port visit to Constanta, Romania," said Cmdr. Andria Slough, Porter's commanding officer. "Participating in Sea Shield 2017 provided a tremendous opportunity to enhance our overall operability and combat capability across all warfare areas with our NATO allies in a very challenging environment. We look forward to our next visit to the region."

Porter entered the Black Sea, Feb. 2, to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO allies as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Porter also conducted a port visit in Constanta, Romania, Feb. 3-8. Senior leadership participated in the in-port planning phase of Sea Shield 2017 while crew members played in a volleyball tournament hosted by the Romanian Naval Academy.

Sea Shield is an annual Romanian-led multinational exercise in the Black Sea to improve interoperability and proficiency of participating units.

Porter, 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 Nov. 30, 2016.

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.

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