USS Porter Hosts Albanian Dignitaries

 

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) hosted a reception for senior Albanian defense officials aboard the ship September 26.

The reception was an expression of Porter’s appreciation for hosting the ship and its crew in Vlore, and it also served to strengthen the ties between the U.S. and Albania.

The guest list included Brigadier General Nazmi Cahani the Director of the General Staff Albanian Armed Forces, the Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. David Muniz, Retired Major General Maksim Malaj the Director of the Inter-Ministerial Maritime Operations Center (IMOC), Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Albania, Major General Viktor Berdo the Deputy Chief of the Albanian Armed Forces General Staff, and Captain Adnand Agastra the Deputy Commander of the Albanian Naval Forces.

Porter’s port visit serves to continue U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet’s efforts to strengthen maritime partnerships in order to enhance regional stability. The port visit will include a community relations project and will give Sailors the opportunity to experience Albanian culture.

Porter departed its homeport in Naval Station Rota, Spain, Jun. 29, 2015, to conduct naval operations with partners and allies in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in order to advance security and stability 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.