Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) was awarded the Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 60 2016 Battle Effectiveness (Battle "E") award, as well as the Atlantic Fleet 2016 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) "Bloodhound" award.

The Battle "E" recognizes the top ship in an organization for its sustained superior performance in an operational environment and sustained continuous readiness throughout the Fleet Response Training Plan.

The Bloodhound award is presented annually to one ship in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets for exceptional performance in ASW proficiency, preparedness and training.

Porter has excelled in a rigorous, forward-deployed naval forces environment, completing two routine patrols in 2016 as well as the Royal navy's Flag Officer Sea Training and Joint Warrior -- regarded as the premier maritime exercises in Europe. Porter has been underway 10 of the past 12 months, giving the ship the highest operational tempo throughout the fleet. During these routine patrols, Porter successfully sustained superior performance while underway in both U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operations.

"It's an absolute honor to be presented with the Commander, Destroyer Squadron 60 Battle Effectiveness Award, as well as the Atlantic Fleet Bloodhound Award," said Cmdr. Andria Slough, commanding officer of Porter. "Both of these awards are direct results of the tenacity and courage of Porter's amazing wardroom and crewmembers, the love and continuous support we receive from our families, and the assistance from the DESRON 60, U.S. 6th Fleet staffs, and the hard work of our maintenance team in Rota. Porter has an absolutely unbelievable team, and I'm looking forward to what we can achieve in 2017."

Porter will sail with a white "E" on the side of the ship's superstructure, and an ASW Bloodhound pennant flown from the mast, signifying the ship's awards.

Sailors permanently assigned to Porter any time during the 2016 competitive cycle are now eligible to wear the Battle "E" ribbon.

Porter, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, 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 Rota Nov. 30, 2016.

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