US destroyers conduct operations with NATO Allies in the Baltic and Black Seas
Two destroyers with the United States 6th Fleet are operating in the Baltic and Black Seas, demonstrating NATO's continued vigilance and commitment to deterrence and defence in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The USS Porter conducts maneuvering exercises in the Black Sea with the Romanian navy frigate Regina Maria on 13 April 2020. (US Navy photo by Lt. Andrew Stopchick Palacio/Released)
The USS Donald Cook entered the Baltic Sea on 11 April after participating in a UK Submarine Command Course, focused on honing anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the Atlantic. While in the Baltic Sea, the USS Donald Cook will be conducting maritime operations with European Allies to ensure regional stability.
The USS Porter began its northbound international straits transit to the Black Sea on 13 April, in order to conduct maritime security operations with NATO Allies and partners. Upon arrival, the USS Porter conducted maneuvering operations with the Romanian frigate Regina Maria.
NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu welcomed the deployments, saying: “NATO remains ready, vigilant, and prepared to respond to any threat. While we continue to take all necessary measures to protect our forces, our operational readiness remains undiminished. These deployments show that NATO Allies are working closely together, determined to ensure that potential adversaries do not exploit the situation to further their interests."
The destroyers, based in Rota, Spain, conduct a range of missions, including maritime security operations, bilateral and multilateral training and exercises, and NATO exercises and deployments – including participation in Standing NATO Maritime Groups, and in NATO missile defence.