The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50), homeported in Mayport, Fla., departed Constanta, Romania, following a scheduled port visit, May 1.
Taylor’s presence in Romania reaffirms 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 Black Sea region.
Taylor’s port visit in Romania gave her crew the opportunity to engage with their Romanian counterparts and explore Constanta, including the Romanian Maritime Museum and Bran Castle.
The visit also served to build understanding and strengthen the bonds between U.S. and Romanian Servicemembers. The Romanian navy hosted a luncheon aboard the ROS Regina Maria (F 222), and sailors from both countries participated in anti-submarine warfare workshops aboard Taylor and at Tuzla Air Base.
The U.S. Navy, on a normal and routine basis, operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and International Law.
Taylor is deployed in a multi-mission role in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to contribute to regional maritime security, conduct bilateral and multilateral training missions, and to support NATO operations and deployments throughout the region.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full range of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency, and other partners in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.
[mappress] Press Release, May 2, 2014; Image: US Navy