Guided-missile Destroyer USS Porter Operates Black Sea, Visits Ukraine

October 14, 2019 12:42 PM
USS Porter (DDG-78) transits the Bosphorus Strait on Oct. 12, 2019. US Navy Photo

Guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG-78) is operating in the Black Sea as part of the Navy’s ongoing presence operation in the region, Turkey-based ship spotters posted on social media on Saturday.

The warship pulled into Odesa, Ukraine on Sunday for a port visit.

“The ship will host five Ukrainian officers as it pulls into Odesa to observe sea-and-anchor operations. These operations enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness and naval capability with our NATO allies and Black Sea partners,” read a statement from U.S. 6th Fleet.

Porter is the seventh U.S. Navy ship to operate in the Black Sea this year.

“In July, USS Carney (DDG-64) participated in exercise Sea Breeze 2019 and conducted maritime interoperability training with Standing NATO Maritime Group Two in the Black Sea. In April, USS Ross (DDG-71) conducted maritime training with Bulgaria and Georgia, and a replenishment-at-sea with Turkey,” read the statement. “In February, USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) conducted maritime interoperability training with the Turkish Yavuz-class frigate TS Fatih (F 242) and conducted a port visit to Odesa, Ukraine. In January, Donald Cook and USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) conducted port visits to Georgia and Romania, respectively.

The four U.S. destroyers in Rota are part of the U.S. phased European adaptive approach to ballistic missile defense that pairs the capabilities of the destroyers with Aegis Ashore BMD stations in Poland and Romania.

The Navy has stepped up its presence in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea since the 2014 invasion of Crimea by Russia.

USS Porter (DDG-78) transits the Bosphorus Strait on Oct. 12, 2019. Photo by Yörük Işık‏ used with permission

The following is the complete statement from U.S. 6th Fleet.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Odesa, Oct. 13, 2019, for a scheduled port visit as part of our continued Black Sea presence and support to our region partners.

The ship will host five Ukrainian officers as it pulls into Odesa to observe sea-and-anchor operations. These operations enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness and naval capability with our NATO allies and Black Sea partners.

This is the seventh time a U.S. Navy vessel has conducted operations in the Black Sea in 2019. The ship entered the Black Sea earlier this year on Aug. 8th to strengthen interoperability with NATO allies and partners and demonstrate the collective resolve to Black Sea security.

In July, the USS Carney (DDG 64) participated in exercise Sea Breeze 2019 and conducted maritime interoperability training with Standing NATO Maritime Group Two in the Black Sea. In April, USS Ross (DDG 71) conducted maritime training with Bulgaria and Georgia, and a replenishment-at-sea with Turkey. In February, USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) conducted maritime interoperability training with the Turkish Yavuz-class frigate TS Fatih (F 242) and conducted a port visit to Odesa, Ukraine. In January, Donald Cook and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) conducted port visits to Georgia and Romania, respectively.

“It is great to be back in the Black Sea to conduct maritime security operations and enhance maritime stability, combined readiness and naval capability with our partners in the region,” said Cmdr. Thomas Ralston, executive officer of Porter. “This visit allows our crew to experience the rich history of Ukraine.”

The U.S. Navy routinely operations in the Black Sea consistent with international law, including the Montreux Convention.

U.S. 6thFleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
Follow @samlagrone

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