Donald Cook News

U.S. 6th Fleet (C6F) conducted a bilateral naval anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise with the U.K., above the Arctic Circle, May 1, 2020.Four ships from two nations, a U.S. submarine, and a U.S. P8-A worked together, in the Norwegian Sea, to conduct training in the challenging conditions in the Arctic.For the exercise, Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyers USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Porter (DDG 78), and fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), were joined by the Royal Navy's HMS Kent (F 78). Additionally, a U.S.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) began its north-bound transit of the Dardanelles Strait, en route to the Black Sea Feb. 19 to conduct maritime security operations and enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness, and naval capability with our NATO allies and partners in the region.The ship last visited the Black Sea in January 2019, during which it visited Batumi, Georgia and conducted an exercise with two Georgian Coast Guard ships. During its time in port the ship's crew was warmly received by their Georgian hosts and were greeted on the pier with an arrival ceremony that included a traditional Georgian dance."Each visit here affords us the unique opportunity to work with our regional maritime partners," said Cmdr.

The Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed Aksaz, Turkey, Nov. 9 after conducting a regularly scheduled port call. While Donald Cook was in port, Sailors attended multiple planning sessions, a reception for participants and a press conference for exercise Dogu Akdeniz 2017. After departing Aksaz, the ship and crew participated in a photo exercise for Dogu Akdeniz. "Our time in Aksaz was a great experience," said Cmdr. Matt Powel, commanding officer of the Donald Cook. "Our first evolution after departing went without a hitch," Powel said. "Aksaz, was a very beautiful port and our short stay was very beneficial," said Cmdr. Kelley Jones, executive officer of the Donald Cook. "Our hosts were very generous and provided superb support.

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

The U.S. Navy conducted a series of cooperative air defense test exercises with the Spanish navy that culminated in live missile firing events using the latest Aegis Weapon System baseline July 20-21. The event was not only the first interoperability test of the latest Aegis Baseline 9.C1 with a foreign ship, but also the first combined Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trial with that country's navy since 2007. Guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) and Spanish frigate Cristobol Colon (F 105) participated in the testing. In addition to live missile firing events, Tactical Data Link interoperability exercises were held July 12-14. "While our combat systems suites are slightly different, the way we operate and execute missions are quite similar," said Cmdr.

A Russian warship carried out aggressive and erratic maneuvers close to a U.S. Navy ship in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the second such Cold War-style incident there in a matter of weeks, the U.S. military said on Saturday. The U.S. European Command said the Russian frigate, Yaroslav Mudry, came unnecessarily close to the guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto on June 30 and maneuvered in its wake. In a statement, EUCOM said the U.S. ship had not been threatened and it maintained course and speed. There have been several similar incidents - reminiscent of Cold War confrontations between the rival superpowers - at sea and in the air in recent months, with the U.S. and Russian militaries accusing each other of dangerous approaches in international waters and airspace. U.S.

A Russian warship carried out "unprofessional" maritime operations in close proximity to a U.S. Navy ship in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, a U.S. Defense official said on Friday. This is the second time the same Russian vessel has come within close proximity of a U.S. Navy ship this month. On June 17, the Yaroslav Mudryy came within 315 yards (288 meters) of the USS Gravely, an incident U.S. officials called "unsafe and unprofessional," but which the Russian Defense Ministry disputed. Recent months have seen a number of similar Cold War-style incidents at sea and in the air, with each country's military accusing the other of dangerous approaches in international waters and airspace. The U.S.

Russia and the United States gave contradictory accounts on Tuesday of an incident involving the two countries' navies in the Mediterranean Sea on June 17, each blaming the other for what they said were unsafe manoeuvres. The Russian Defence Ministry said a U.S. destroyer had approached dangerously close to a Russian warship, and protested at what it said was a flagrant U.S. violation of rules to avoid collisions at sea. However, a U.S. Defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Russian warship had carried out "unsafe and unprofessional" operations near two U.S. Navy ships. Recent months have seen a number of similar Cold War-style incidents at sea and in the air…

Last week's frightening incident in the Baltic Sea, where Russian warplanes repeatedly buzzed the destroyer USS Donald Cook over a two-day period, left many Americans wondering why the U.S. Navy didn't simply splash the SU-24 attack aircraft. According to a report in Reuters, Russia accused the United States on Wednesday of intimidation by sailing a U.S. naval destroyer close to Russia's border in the Baltics and warned that the Russian military would respond with "all necessary measures" to any future incidents. Alexander Grushko, Moscow's ambassador, however, saw the issue differently. Speaking after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council…

A U.S. destroyer vessel operating in international waters in the Baltic Sea experienced several close interactions by Russian aircraft on April 11 and 12, the U.S. Navy announced, calling the encounter “unsafe”, “aggressive” and “unprofessional”. “April 11-12, USS Donald Cook was operating in a professional manner in international waters conducting operations and exercises with our allies in the Baltic Sea,” said Adm. Mark Ferguson, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa.

Ships assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 pulled into Faslane, Scotland, ready to commence Exercise Joint Warrior 15-1, April 9. DESRON 26 arrived in Faslane with guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) and guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78), ready to participate in Joint Warrior, a semi-annual training exercise conducted in the coastal waters off the United Kingdom. The training, led by the United Kingdom, is designed to provide NATO and allied forces a multiwarfare environment in which to prepare for global operations. Participating countries aim to improve interoperability and prepare forces for future combined exercises.

Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (CNREURAFSWA) established Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu Friday, Oct. 10, during an establishment and assumption of command ceremony on base. NSF Deveselu, formerly a disused Romanian airfield, is the first Navy base to be established since Naval Station (NS) Everett in Washington, whose official groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 9, 1987. The installation, scheduled to be operational in 2015, will be part of a NATO's overall ballistic missile defense (BMD) system. Rear Adm. John Scorby, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, hosted the ceremony. "This is a historic occasion because ballistic missile threats to the U.S. and our allies are real and growing," Scorby said.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) arrived at Naval Station Rota, Spain to begin her forward deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, June 16. Ross, departed Norfolk, Va., June 3, and is the second of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to be forward deployed to Rota, joining USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) which has been on station since February. "On the global and regional stage, we are allies, and we share a common interest in maintaining a Europe that is safe, secure and prosperous.

USS Ross (DDG 71) departed its Norfolk homeport June 3 on her way to Rota, Spain, as the second of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to be forward deployed there. To enhance the security of the European region, two additional ballistic missile defense (BMD)-capable destroyers - USS Porter (DDG 78) from Norfolk and USS Carney (DDG 64) from Mayport, Florida, will also join USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and Ross over the course of the next 18 months. "The U.S. has a historically strong partnership with Spain, and the strength of that relationship is exemplified today as the second of four U.S. Navy destroyers departs for Rota, Spain," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

The forward deployed guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) welcomed aboard Romanian President Traian Bsescu while the ship was in port in Constanta, April 14. Bsescu was met by members of the U.S. Embassy and Donald Cook's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Jones. He was then given a tour of the ship, including the Navigation Bridge, Combat Information Center and Engineering Control. "Operating in the Black Sea has been an incredible opportunity for us to further strengthen our ties and improve our interoperability with an important strategic partner…

The Associated Press has posted a story which quotes a U.S. military official as saying that a Russian fighter jet -- which apparently was unarmed -- made several close-range fly bys near the US Navy's USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), which is operating in the Black Sea. According to the report the incident lasted for more than an hour and a half, and that the jet flew within 1,000 yards of the ship. The forward deployed guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrived in Constanta, Romania to enhance multinational interoperability with NATO allies in region, April 14.

Another U.S. warship will come to the Black Sea after destroyer USS Donald Cook will leave, Romanian president Traian Basescu told reporters in the Black Sea port of Constanta on Monday. Donald Cook arrived in the Black Sea last week for exercises and operations to improve interoperability, increase readiness and enhance relationships. A French vessel is also in Constanta to show support, Basescu said. Last month, a U.S. guided-missile destroyer conducted naval drills with Romania and Bulgaria in the Black Sea, in a show of Washington's military reach, in operations officials said were planned before Russia's annexation of Crimea. Reporting by Matthias Williams

Rear Admiral William Lescher, 
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget explains that in a period of fiscal austerity, the Department of the Navy’s $148 billion FY15 budget balances investments in presence, capabilities and readiness to provide sustainable forward naval presence and invest in our people and capabilities core to our warfighting edge. "We all know this budget comes amid an environment of increasing fiscal austerity and uncertainty. There were tough choices made, but this budget allows us to preserve our warfighting capability in a thoughtful, responsible way.

The stationing of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer at Rota represents a national contribution by the US and Spain to NATO missile defence, enhancing the security of the European region, the Mediterranean Basin and the Atlantic Ocean. The first of the four, USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), has arrived in Rota, Spain from Norfolk Navy Base. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said: "Permanently forward deploying four ships in Rota will enable us to be in the right place, not just at the right time…

On the early morning of October 22nd 2009, 400 nautical miles east of Mombasa, Kenya, pirates attempted to hijack MV Jolly Rosso. Almost at the same time, MV Al Khaliq, a Panama flagged bulk carrier reported being under attack 180 nautical miles west of the Seychelles. MV Jolly Rosso, an Italian flagged Ro-Ro Cargo ship (200m and 31000 tons) was attacked by two small skiffs. The pirates opened fire with automatic fire and also fired 3 Rocket Propelled grenades at the ship. The ship took appropriate evasive action, managed to evade the attack and is proceeding on her voyage. There were no casualties. Belgium EU NAVFOR warship BNS Louise Marie was ordered immediately to close and neutralize the pirate attack position in cooperation with NATOs USS Donald Cook of CTF 508.

NATO’s contribution to international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa and in the Gulf of Aden entered a new phase on 17 August after the North Atlantic Council (NAC) approved Operation Ocean Shield. This new mission builds on the experience gained during Operation Allied Protector, NATO’s previous counter-piracy mission, and develops a distinctive NATO role based on the broad strength of the Alliance by adopting a more comprehensive approach to counter-piracy efforts.

Commander, 2nd Fleet ordered ships based in Hampton Roads in southeastern Virginia to get underway Sept. 16, to avoid potential damage to ships and piers from anticipated hurricane force winds and high tidal surges. Ships currently underway will stay out to sea until Hurricane Isabel passes. Vice Adm. Gary Roughead, commander of the U.S. 2nd Fleet, said the decision to sortie the ships from Hampton Roads is based on concerns for the safety of Sailors, and the preservation of the ships and associated equipment. Forty Hampton Roads-based ships and submarines will get underway Sept.

Exercise Four Norfolk-based ships departed Naval Station Norfolk Aug. 20 to participate in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet’s annual theater Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise, Smart Search ’04.The exercise begins Aug. 29 off the east coast of the United States. This is the fourth year of the annual exercise and is headed by Commander, Task Force 84. The goal of the exercise is to effectively employ and improve the combat capability of Atlantic Fleet submarines and afloat ASW forces while simultaneously increasing the efficiency of operations ashore.The exercise will test, assess and improve the proficiency of Navy theater ASW forces in a complex, realistic training scenario involving Navy ships, submarines and aircraft. ASW remains an important part of U.S.