Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Varna, Bulgaria, June 8 for a scheduled port visit as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.

The ship's operations in the Black Sea are meant to enhance maritime security and stability, readiness and naval capability with our allies and partners.

Quote:

"Varna has a rich history and vibrant culture which we are very honored to be a part of. Port visits like this one afford Sailors from both Bulgaria and the United States the opportunity to strengthen our bonds, both personally and professionally, as we work toward mutual goals." - Cmdr. Andria Slough, Commanding Officer, USS Porter (DDG 78)

"We visited an orphanage home here last year during USS Porter's patrol, and I still have pictures on my phone with the children there. To see the joy in the children's eyes in those pictures, it gives me a reason to return for another [community relations event] and continue being a mentoring presence." - Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Gerald Laborce, USS Porter (DDG 78)

Quick Facts:

Strengthening alliances during the port visit to Varna demonstrates the shared commitment we have to promote safety and stability within the region, while seeking opportunities to enhance our interoperability with our NATO allies and partners.

Porter is currently operating in the Black Sea, working with allies and regional partners to help develop and improve our maritime forces, maintain regional security, and work towards mutual goals in order to advance security and stability in Europe.

Porter's port visit provides Sailors an opportunity to meet with naval counterparts in order to strengthen bonds for an enhanced partnership.

The U.S. Navy, on a normal and routine basis, operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and International Law.

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 March 16.

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/.