The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) participated in a bilateral underway engagement with the Turkish Navy in the Black Sea, May 11.
The exercise was aimed at improving maritime capabilities and reassuring NATO allies and partners of the United States’ commitment to the alliance and security in the region.
During the event, Taylor, along with the Turkish frigate TCG Turgutries (F-241) conducted tactical maneuvering exercises, a Detect-to-Engage (DTE) scenario, and a simulated attack on Cutlass 471 (a MH-60R Sea Hawk Helicopter assigned to Taylor).
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 13, 2014; Image: US Navy