The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) entered Larnaca, Cyprus, October 13 for a scheduled port visit. Donald Cook is on patrol in support of the U.S European Phased Adaptive Approach to NATO Ballistic Missile Defense. Donald Cook's Presence represents a commitment by the U.S. to maintain safety and security throughout Europe. QUOTE: "Donald Cook makes our second visit in 18 months to Cyprus and looks forward to maintaining close relations with a close ally in the region working with our Cypriot friends to promote peace and stability throughout the region." - Cmdr. Charles E. Hampton, commanding officer, USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) Quick Facts: * Strengthening alliances during the port visit to Cypress 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. * Donald Cook's port visit provides Sailors an opportunity to meet with naval counterparts in order to strengthen bonds for an enhanced partnership. * The United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to the collective security of our NATO allies and support for our partners in Europe. All DoD efforts in support of our NATO allies in Eastern Europe fall under the umbrella of Atlantic Resolve. * With combined training and theater security cooperation engagements, Donald Cook will demonstrate that the U.S. shares a commitment to working with allies and partners. * The USS Ross (DDG 71) made a port visit to Cyprus in March, 2015. * The Donald Cook has made port in Cyprus once before during a previous forward deployed patrol in July 2014. * Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on a routine patrol conducting naval operations with allies and partners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in order to advance security and stability in the Black Sea region. * Donald Cook, the first of the four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to be forward deployed in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, arrived in Rota in February, 2014. * U.S. 6th Fleet, headquarters in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint 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.

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