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NEWS | April 28, 2019

USS Ross Conducts Bilateral Exercise with Turkish Navy

By Ensign Drake Davis

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) participated in maritime interoperability training and replenishment-at-sea with Turkish maritime counterparts on April 27, 2019 in the Black Sea.

After receiving fuel from the Turkish Navy Akar-class replenishment oiler TCG Yarbay Kudret Gungor (A 595), Ross completed a series of tactical communications and maneuvering exercises with the Turkish Navy Yavuz-class frigate TGC Turgutreis (F-241) and a Turkish Maritime Patrol Aircraft before sailing in formation for a group photo exercise.

“It was an absolute pleasure operating with the Turkish Navy today.” said Cmdr. Dave Coles, commanding officer of USS Ross, “They are steadfast and reliable partners who routinely operate with the utmost professionalism, and today was no different. It is imperative that we continue to hone our interoperability through exercises like these.”

The U.S. Navy routinely practices high-end warfare with allies and partners in the Black Sea.

Multinational training improves our combine capabilities and operational effectiveness, thereby enhancing regional maritime stability, combined readiness and naval capability with our NATO allies and partners.

Ross, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, deployed from Naval Station Rota on March 8th, 2019 on its 8th forward-deployed naval forces patrol.

While on patrol, Ross is scheduled to conduct naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

U.S. 6th Fleet, 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.