The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) arrived at Naval Station Rota, Spain to begin her forward deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, June 16.
Ross, departed Norfolk, Va., June 3, and is the second of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to be forward deployed to Rota, joining USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) which has been on station since February.
“On the global and regional stage, we are allies, and we share a common interest in maintaining a Europe that is safe, secure and prosperous. We work closely together with the NATO Alliance, with other partners across the region, and nation to nation as well,” said Vice Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet.
The purpose behind Ross’ and the other destroyers’ forward deployment is to enhance the security of the European region. While in U.S. 6th Fleet, these ships will perform numerous missions including NATO missile defense, maritime security operations, bilateral and multilateral training exercises, and NATO operations and deployments.
USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS Carney (DDG 64) are scheduled to join Ross and Donald Cook in 2015.
“The USS Ross and her Sailors are excited to serve as part of the U.S. Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Force in Rota, Spain,” said Ross’ Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Tadd Gorman. “We have been training for years so that we are ready to operate forward and work with our European allies, as well as other U.S. assets and personnel in the region.”
[mappress] Press Release, June 17, 2014; Image: US Navy