The guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71), operating forward in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations as of June 30, was awarded the 2014 Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for the Atlantic Fleet.

The Arleigh Burke Trophy is a prestigious honor awarded to a ship that best represents the fleet by achieving the best overall improvement in battle efficiency. This award is presented annually to the most-improved ships or aviation squadrons in both the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.

Quote:

"It is a tribute to the crew's outstanding leadership, hard work and dedication. Every Sailor and family member on the USS Ross team should be extremely proud of this significant accomplishment."
- Vice James Foggo III, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet

"What a tremendous honor for USS Ross. It has been amazing to observe this team's effort to achieve and sustain excellence!"
- Commodore James Aiken, commander, Destroyer Squadron 60

"This is a well-deserved award for an exceptional crew. The effort put forth by all of my officers and Sailors has resulted in a ship better equipped, better trained, and ready to operate forward."
- Cmdr. Tadd Gorman, commanding officer, USS Ross (DDG 71)

Quick Facts:

Ross' keel was laid in April 1995 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and it was christened one year later by its sponsor Helen Lou Ross, widow of the ship's namesake. Ross' crew of plankowners moved aboard in April 1997 and sailed the ship to Galveston, Texas, where it was commissioned on June 28, 1997.

Ross, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, since spring of 2014, is conducting the second, four-month patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of 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/