The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) departed Kiel, Germany, after a five-day scheduled port visit, June 24.

Jason Dunham's presence in Kiel reaffirmed to NATO allies that the U.S. Navy shares a commitment to strengthen ties while working toward mutual goals of promoting peace and stability in the Baltic Sea region.

Quote:
"Our visit to Kiel was the perfect closing event for our participation in BALTOPS 2015. After training alongside our partners and allies during the exercise, my crew and I were able to interact with our counterparts during the many planned events on base and out in town, participating in camaraderie and cultural exchange, which once again reaffirmed that we all share a bond as Sailors and members of a unified fighting force."
-Cmdr. Darren Dugan, USS Jason Dunham's commanding officer

Quick Facts:
* The U.S. Navy, on a normal and routine basis, operates ships in the Baltic Sea consistent with international law.

* The visit took place during the city's annual Kieler Woche celebration, the largest sailing event in the world.

* USS Jason Dunham hosted a luncheon for local political officials and allied military officials June 20. The guest list included Vice Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet; Mr. Stefan Studt, Minister of the Interior of the State of Schleswig-Holstein; Cmdr. Michael Eichhorn, commander of Naval Base Kiel; Vice Adm. Andreas Krause, German Chief of Naval Operations; and Dr. Ulf Kmpfer, Mayor of Kiel.

* Sailors from Jason Dunham participated in sporting events with sailors from partner and allied navies, including soccer matches and a 5K race.

* Tours of the ship were open to the public June 20 and 21.

* USS Jason Dunham, homeported in Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, Jan. 27.

* 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 www.navy.mil/