The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), departed Faroe Islands on Oct. 12, after the first U.S. Navy visit to the islands in 33 years.

The scheduled port visit to the Faroe Islands, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, created an opportunity to enhance U.S. relations in the area. The ship’s presence in the North Atlantic demonstrates the United States’ commitment to regional security and stability.

“Our visit to the Faroe Islands was exceptional!” said Cmdr. Kelley T. Jones, commanding officer of the ship. “It was wonderful to meet Mr. Stuart A. Dwyer, the Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Embassy in Denmark, Faroese Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen, and many other members of the Faroe Islands community. With our visit we hoped to enhance our relations, and I would say that we accomplished that mission.”

Strengthening partnerships during the port visit both created and reinforced enduring relationships and emphasized our shared commitment to promoting security and stability within the region, while seeking opportunities to enhance our interoperability as members of the NATO alliance.

During the port visit, Sailors went on tours and engaged with the local community. Donald Cook hosted a reception Oct. 11 to celebrate the return of a U.S. naval vessel to the Faroe Islands.

Donald Cook is currently on patrol in support of U.S. national security interests in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. 6th 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.

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