American Frigate Conducts Underway Engagements in Black Sea

The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) participated in a bilateral underway engagement with ships from the Romanian navy in the Black Sea, May 6.

The exercise was aimed at improving maritime capabilities and reassuring the U.S. NATO allies and partners of the U.S. commitment to the alliance and to their security.

“Exercises like this enhance the capabilities of our two navies and allow us to work better together as partners in the region,” said Taylor’s Commanding Officer, Cdr. Murzban Morris. “Engagements like this also strengthens the bonds we share.”

During the event, Taylor, along with four Romanian ships, conducted a live-fire exercise and an anti-submarine warfare scenario.

“The only way to prepare for potential regional instability is to train and keep our forces ready,” said Morris. “What better way to do that than with those who share a commitment to stability in the Black Sea region.”

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, perform search and rescue activities, support humanitarian missions, 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 8, 2014; Image: Wikimedia