Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed the Black Sea, June 18, after conducting routine exercises as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.

Porter's operations in the Black Sea provided the ship and crew an opportunity to strengthen and build naval capabilities with allies and partners in the region.

"While in the Black Sea, Porter demonstrated the United States' commitment to a persistent presence in Eastern Europe," said Cmdr. Andria Slough, Porter's commanding officer. "We look forward to further commitments by our allies to ensure a coordinated, continuous land, air and sea presence in the region as part of the 2015 NATO Summit agreements."

Quick Facts:

Porter entered the Black Sea, June 6, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to the collective security of its NATO allies as part of Atlantic Resolve.

Porter (DDG 78) participated in a trilateral passing exercise with the Romanian navy Regina Maria (F-222) and Turkish navy Yldrm (F-243) in the Black Sea, June 16.

Porter and Romania engaged in a series of training exercises at sea. Porter launched two rigid-hull inflatable boats to provide Romanian vessels an environment to practice defending against small boat attacks. Porter and Romania also participated in a photo exercise, maneuvering exercise, and flight quarters training.

Porter hosted Bulgarian media and distinguished visitors in Varna, Bulgaria, June 9. Local media were provided a ship tour and a question and answer interview session with Porter Commanding Officer Cmdr. Andria Slough. Following the tours, Porter hosted a reception aboard the ship for the distinguished visitors.

Porter Sailors participated in a "Knyaginya Nadezhda" Orphanage Home community relations project in Varna, Bulgaria, June 9. Sailors performed maintenance at the facility, installed new computers and a television, and played sports with the youth at the event.

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/.