The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) participated in a bilateral underway engagement with the Romanian navy in the Black Sea, Feb. 12, 2015.
The exercise was aimed at improving maritime capabilities and reassuring NATO allies and regional partners of the United States’ commitment to the alliance and to maritime security and stability in the Black Sea region. Cole conducted the exercise with Romanian navy ship ROS Marasesti (F 111).
Cmdr. James Quaresimo, USS Cole (DDG 67) commanding officer, said:
It is always a good thing to be able to work with our partners to improve interoperability and relationships. The Romanian Navy is always great to work with and I’m glad we had this opportunity again, like we did last October, for our Navies to show each other what we can do and how well we can work together.
Underway engagements such as this are often referred to as passing exercises (PASSEX), and consists of a series of at-sea scenarios designed to enhance maritime capabilities among participating nations. They typically include tactical maneuvering exercises, passenger transfers, bridge-to-bridge communication drills, and simulated threat defenses with aircraft.
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Image: US Navy