The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) arrived in Malaga, Spain, on May 5 for a port visit.

The port visit serves to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Spain through a number of planned engagements, highlighted by McFaul's participation in a ceremony to honor a Spanish military hero who was instrumental in aiding the American forces during the Revolutionary War.

Quote:
It is a great honor for us to have the opportunity to represent the United States while Spain observes this important cultural celebration - a celebration centered on an event that forged many of the ties our two nations share today.
- Cmdr. Michael J. Gunther, McFaul's commanding officer
Quick Facts
* McFaul's visit to Spain coincides with the annual celebration of Spanish Gen. Bernardo de Galvez, who oversaw several military campaigns to expel the British from America's Gulf Coast. The annual commemoration in Spain is a tribute to his Siege of Pensacola, in which Spanish forces' overtook the city of Pensacola on May 8, 1781.

* While in Malaga, McFaul will also conduct a COMREL at a local hospice. A team of McFaul Sailors will perform general maintenance and refurbishing on the site.

* The ship will offer tours to members of the local community, including the police, Navy League, members of the Spanish military, and media.

* While in port, the crew will have the opportunity to visit historic sites such as castles, various museums in the Malaga, and the nearby cities of Cordoba and Seville.

* McFaul left its homeport of Norfolk April 22 on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet areas of operation. While in 6th Fleet, the ship is conducting operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

* 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 www.navy.mil/.