USS Donald Cook to enter Black Sea
Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook was to enter the Black Sea on December 26 2014 “to promote peace and stability in the region,” the US Sixth Fleet said in a statement.
“Donald Cook’s presence in the Black Sea will serve to reaffirm the US dedication to commitment towards strengthening the partnerships and joint operational capabilities among US, Nato and regional Black Sea partners,” according to the statement.
This is the second time this year that USS Donald Cook has entered the Black Sea. The ship operated in the region from April 10 to 24 2014, conducted a port visit in Romania and an underway engagement with USS Taylor and Romanian navy ships, ROS Regina Maria and ROS Marasesti.
USS Donald Cook entered Black Sea in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
“The United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to the collective security of our Nato allies and support for our partners in Europe, in light of the on-going Russian intervention in Ukraine. All DoD efforts in support of our Nato allies in Eastern Europe fall under the umbrella of Atlantic Resolve,” the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US Sixth Fleet statement said.
“The US remains committed to maintaining a persistent presence in Eastern Europe. We look forward to further commitments by our allies to ensure a coordinated and continuous land, air and sea presence in the region as part of the commitments made at the Nato Summit.”
(Photo: USS Donald Cook transits through the Aegean Sea on December 25 2014: US Navy)
