USS Ross (DDG 71) returned to Naval Station Rota, July 20, after completing its second forward deployed patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

Ross, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, forward deployed to Rota, Spain, departed March 18, performed maritime security operations throughout the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, and participated in numerous bilateral exercises with NATO allies and partners.

"USS Ross' mission within the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea has been critical to reaffirm he United States' commitment to security and stability in the region. We now return to our homeport in Rota, Spain with confidence that our relationships with our NATO allies and regional partners are stronger and more developed. Our Sailors displayed operational excellence during this deployment to make our mission an overall success and I'm proud of each and every one of them."
-Cmdr. Tadd Gorman, USS Ross commanding officer

QUICK FACTS:

* During this patrol Ross conducted tactical exchanges with naval forces from Cyprus, Ukraine, Turkey, and Greece.
* Ross made port visits to Haifa, Israel; Souda Bay, Greece; Larnaca, Cyprus; and Gaeta, Italy, over the course of the patrol.
* Ross entered the Black Sea in May, strengthening partnerships and reassuring NATO allies as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
* While in the Black Sea, Ross participated in passing exercises with the Ukrainian and Romanian Navies.
* Ross received the 2014 Atlantic Fleet Arleigh Burke Award for their superior performance and improvement in battle efficiency. Capt. James Aiken, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 60, presented the trophy aboard Ross during an all-hands call.
* Many embarked Sailors achieved career milestones during the patrol. Among the accomplishments, 30 Sailors advanced to the next rank and pay grade and 19 Sailors earned their enlisted surface warfare specialist qualification.
* Ross, the second of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to be forward deployed in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, arrived in Rota in June 2014.
* During Ross' previous patrol from July to November 2014, the ship conducted a number of operations and engagements, including Exercise Sea Breeze.
* 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/