The port visit reinforced the U.S. Navy’s commitment to the NATO alliance and to vital allies like Bulgaria while demonstrating Arleigh Burke’s ability to deploy throughout the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility in support of regional stability. The ship entered the Black Sea, Nov. 25, 2021.

“From the Arctic, to the Baltic, to the Black Sea, USS Arleigh Burke has proven that we are capable of deploying anywhere at any time," said Cmdr. Patrick Chapman, Arleigh Burke’s commanding officer. “We are thrilled to play a role in strengthening our relationship with NATO allies and partners and look forward to continued cooperation.”

Arleigh Burke began its current patrol in August. Throughout the patrol, the ship has operated alongside allied and partner navies, including sailing with ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1 in the Baltic Sea.

Previous port calls on the current patrol include Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland.

Operating from the High North through the Mediterranean and into the Black Sea highlights the capability and capacity Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) ships bring to the European theater. These inherently mobile, multi-mission capable ships routinely operate throughout the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime domain.

Arleigh Burke is one of four U.S. Navy destroyers based at Naval Station Rota, Spain, and assigned to Commander Task Force 65 in support of NATO’s Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.