The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed Odesa, Ukraine, Oct. 16, 2019, after completing a scheduled port visit.

While in port the ship participated in a community relation sports event with midshipmen from the Ukrainian naval academy.

“I enjoyed getting to see Odesa,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Savanna Caballero. “The food, culture and experiences were some of the best I’ve had in any port visit.”

The ship entered the Black Sea Oct. 12th to strengthen interoperability with NATO allies and partners and demonstrate the collective resolve to security in the region. 

 “We enjoyed our visit with our partners in Ukraine,” said Command Master Chief Weba Roberts. “Our last visit was for exercise Sea Breeze 2018, and the returning Sailors took joy in showing new crew members the city of Odesa.”

The U.S. Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea consistent with international law, including the Montreux Convention.

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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