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NEWS | July 27, 2018

Porter Completes 5th FDNF Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ford Williams

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) returned to Naval Station Rota, Spain, following the completion of its fifth forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) patrol, July 27, 2018.

Porter departed Naval Station Rota April 2, 2018, to conduct naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

During the patrol, Porter completed maritime operations with the Truman Carrier Strike Group, engaged in interoperability training with Naval Special Warfare Unit 2, and participated in exercise Sea Breeze 2018.

Additionally, the ship hosted a total of 31 midshipmen from the Belgium, Spain, Turkey and the U.S. during different periods of the patrol.

 In total, the ship interacted with 20 countries over the course of patrol.

 “I am very proud of team Porter for completing another successful patrol throughout the Baltic, Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea areas of operation,” said Cmdr. John Tobin, commanding officer of Porter. “We met every mission with precision and success.”

During the patrol, Porter completed port visits in Cherbourg, France; Helsinki, Finland; Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece; and Odessa, Ukraine. In total, the ship travelled approximately 21,500 nautical miles, completing 9 replenishments-at-sea while staying within the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

One hundred and ninety Porter Sailors volunteered in four community relation events totaling 1260 hours.

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.