U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), ranking member of the Africa and Global Health Policy subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Representatives Karen R. Bass (D-CA) and Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) visited USS Porter (DDG 78) as part of a larger visit to Naval Station Rota Aug. 15.

The visit was the capstone of a five country tour through Africa and the Mediterranean.

The Congressional delegation was welcomed aboard and given a tour by Cmdr. Andria Slough, Porter's commanding officer, and Command Master Chief Abel Griego. The tour afforded the delegation the opportunity to gain an on-the-ground perspective into the multi-mission capabilities of an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer and to better understand the contribution that the four forward deployed destroyers in Rota make to missions ranging from theater security cooperation with partners and Allies to ballistic missile defense. The delegation's visit concluded with an opportunity to meet Porter Sailors originally hailing from their states and districts.

"It was an honor to host Senator Markey, Representative Bass and Representative Maloney aboard 'Freedom's Champion'," said Cmdr. Slough, reflecting upon the tour. "We were able to discuss the importance of Porter's enhanced capabilities in the Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe and our overall contribution to global security, to include my most important asset--my Sailors. It's always a pleasure to have a Congressional delegation visit, and my Sailors work harder knowing their efforts are appreciated by those back stateside."

Porter, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer forward deployed to Rota, Spain, conducts naval operations in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea.

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