The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) departed Klaipda, Lithuania July 20, 2015, after a three-day scheduled port visit.

Jason Dunham's visit to Klaipda demonstrated to regional partners and NATO allies that the U.S. Navy shares a commitment to strengthening ties while working toward mutual goals of promoting peace and stability in the Baltic Sea region.

Quote:
"Our exchange with the Lithuanian Navy was extremely fulfilling. We learned a great deal about our counterparts and I know they learned a lot about us. That kind of dialogue is what has made our bonding experience here so successful, and it will allow us to continue working so effectively alongside our Lithuanian allies in the interest of peace and stability in the Baltic."
-Cmdr. Darren Dugan, USS Jason Dunham commanding officer

Quick Facts:

* Dugan visited with Vytautas Grubliauskas, mayor of Klaipda, and Captain Juris Roze, Lithuania's Chief of Naval Operations.

* The ship gave tours to Lithuan military and government personnel, children from the Rytas orphanage, a group of international Fulbright Association alumni, patients and caretakers from the Pasaka special needs camp, several local scout troops and U.S. Embassy personnel and their families.

* Sailors from Jason Dunham participated in two outreach programs at the Rytas orphanage and the Palangos Gintaras Children's Rehabilitation Sanatorium. Sailors played sports and spent time with children at both locations.

* A reception aboard the ship was held for guests from the Lithuanian military and government, and the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania.


* Jason Dunham is currently operating in the Baltic Sea, working with allies and regional partners to help develop and improve regional maritime forces, maintain regional security, and work towards mutual goals in order to advance security and stability in Europe.

* Jason Dunham, homeported in Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, Jan. 27.

* 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/.