USS Porter Trains with Black Sea Navies

The guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in the Black Sea in early February to train with the Ukrainian and Romanian navies. As part of a strategic focus to the south and east, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet (CNE/C6F) have increased engagement in the Black Sea in an effort to increase cooperation with regional partners. “This is my second time in the Black Sea in the past nine months and the third time we have had ships operating here,” said Capt. Tom Rowden, commander of Task Force 65 and the senior embarked officer aboard Porter. “The Ukrainian and Romanian navies are both emerging partners in the U.S. European Command theater and I have seen significant progress in our ability to operate with them. This will continue as long as we take full advantage of the opportunities we have to work together, and when we do this, it makes us all better at what we do.” During their time in the Black Sea, Porter Sailors will participate in passing exercises, Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) evolutions, and other shipboard training with their Romania and Ukrainian counterparts.

By Journalist 3rd Class Andrew McCord, Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs