The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed Cobh, Ireland, after a scheduled port visit Oct. 26.

USS Porter is conducting routine operations with allies and partners in the region, highlighting U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet's commitment to partnerships in the region.

"The crew has worked very hard the past several weeks and deserved to have a port call as great as Ireland. Many Sailors were able to trace their heritage to Ireland and enjoyed the opportunity of indulging in the history of the country. The people of Cobh were very welcoming and I hope the crew has the opportunity of returning."
- Cmdr. John Tobin, USS Porter executive officer

Sailors had the opportunity to visit the local sights, experience the culture, and interact with the people of Ireland through trips offered by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR).

Porter's crew invited several media groups on board to conduct interviews.

Ten Sailors volunteered their time clean and perform repairs at the fortress on Spike Island as part of a community relations (COMREL) project.

The port visit provided Porter's crew the opportunity to meet with the people of Cobh, and to experience Ireland's rich history and culture.

Porter, forward deployed to Naval Station Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations with allies and partners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in order to advance security and stability in Europe.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

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