Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed Rota, Spain after conducting preparations for exercise Formidable Shield, Sept. 18.

While Donald Cook was in port, Sailors, technical representatives, and Navy contractors completed upgrades and prepared the ship for Formidable Shield.

"It is great to be heading out to sea on the USS Donald Cook to finish this patrol," said Command Master Chief Jeremy E. Douglas. "I am very excited and feel very lucky to be working with such a fine crew. This crew is tough and has a very strong work ethic. They are absolutely ready to perform for Formidable Shield."

Donald Cook is scheduled to participate in Formidable Shield, where the purpose of the exercise is to improve allied interoperability in a live-fire integrated air and missile defense environment, using NATO command and control reporting structures.

"Donald Cook has worked hard these past couple of weeks conducting combat system checks, installing test equipment, and completing routine maintenance checks to defend and deter in this dynamic security environment," said Cmdr. Kelley Jones, executive officer of Donald Cook. "By participating in Formidable Shield, we are looking forward to testing new concepts, while furthering our commitment to NATO partnerships in the realm of cyber, hybrid, and unconventional threats."

U.S. 6th Fleet will lead exercise Formidable Shield, Sept. 24-Oct. 18, at the U.K. Ministry of Defense's Hebrides Range located on the Western Isles of Scotland.

Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States are scheduled to participate in this exercise.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.