USS Porter in Spain for repairs after European patrol

US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) returned to Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a scheduled training and maintenance availability (TRAV) on February 13.

The maintenance is being conducted after the ship completed a patrol in the US 6th Fleet Area of Operations.

Porter departed Rota on December 27, 2018, and began its sixth Forward-Deployed Naval Force (FDNF) patrol in support of regional allies and partners, and US national security interests in Europe and Africa.

“The crew performed admirably during our sixth FDNF patrol,” said Porter’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. Craig Trent. “We have been operating in some cold and harsh environments, but this crew has shown true resiliency by adapting and overcoming every obstacle. I could not be more proud of everything they have accomplished. ”

While on patrol, Porter conducted missions in support of regional allies and partners, and earned qualifications and certifications in the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and Baltic Sea. The certifications included aviation certification, mobility aviation, mobility damage control, and Naval Surface Fire Support.

Porter and the crew also conducted two bilateral exercises with the Turkish and Finnish navies, improving maritime capabilities and reassuring NATO allies and regional partners of US 6th Fleet’s commitment to maritime security and stability in its area of operations.

During the patrol, the ship visited ports in Turkey, Latvia, Demark and England. The crew hosted two luncheons and a reception in Denmark for more than 100 local officials, including the US Ambassador to Denmark, Carla Sands, and Danish Lt. Gen. Max Nielson, the Danish vice chief of defense.

In total, Porter and its crew covered more than 13,000 nautical miles and visited four countries during the patrol, conducted six straight transits, 11 sea and anchor evolutions and one underway replenishment.