The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed the Black Sea, Oct. 26 after participating in bilateral tactical exchanges with Black Sea nations, and port visits to Ukraine, Romania and Georgia.

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.

Quote:
"This visit to the Black Sea has been invaluable in demonstrating our commitment to the region, as well as working with our allies and NATO partners. Over the past three weeks, we conducted exercises with Black Sea allies and partner nations. This interaction has greatly increased our joint capabilities and my crew's understanding of the operating environment." - Cmdr. Blair Guy, USS Porter (DDG 78) commanding officer

Quick Facts:

Porter entered the Black Sea, Oct. 6 in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve and to demonstrate the United States' commitment to the collective security of its NATO allies and regional partners.

Porter pulled into Odesa, Ukraine, Oct. 9, for a two-day port visit in an effort to strengthen ties while working toward mutual goals of promoting peace and stability between the U.S. and Ukraine.

In port, Porter hosted a reception on board with Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Rear Adm. Serhii Gaiduk, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Mr. Geoffrey Pyatt and other local civilian and military guests.

Porter pulled into Constanta, Romania, Oct. 12, for a refueling evolution.

Porter participated in a bilateral passing exercise (PASSEX), Oct. 13-14, with ships from the Bulgarian, Romanian, Turkish and Ukrainian navies.

The PASSEX was conducted in order improve maritime capabilities and increase warfighting proficiency when operating in the Black Sea with other naval forces. During the PASSEX, ships participated in live fire exercises, advanced ship maneuvering, combined visit, board, search and seizure training and air defense exercises.

Porter conducted a port visit in Batumi, Georgia, Oct. 20-23, which provided Sailors an opportunity to meet with naval counterparts in order to strengthen bonds for enhanced partnership.

While in port, Sailors interacted with members of the Georgian Coast Guard, Maritime Detachment, Maritime Transportation and Border Patrol/Police during joint training environments. The ship hosted U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Mr. Ian Kelly, and Batumi Mayor Giorgi Ermakov, and provided ship tours for several Georgian nationals.

USS 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.

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