USS Ross
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STRAIT OF DARDANELLES (April 28, 2019) - The Arleigh Burk-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) transits the Strait of Dardanelles, April 28, 2019. Ross, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its eighth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
USS Porter Joint Warrior 2019
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FASLANE, Scotland (March 30, 2019) � The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), left, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) berth together in Faslane, Scotland, March 30, 2019. Porter, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its sixth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S national security interests in Europe and Africa.
Donald Cook Returns from Patrol
190308-N-JI086-080 NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (March 8, 2019) Sailors man the rails as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrives in Naval Station Rota, Spain, March 8, 2019. Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is returning to Rota following its eighth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
Donald Cook Returns from Patrol
190308-N-JI086-065 NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (March 8, 2019) Sailors man the rails as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrives in Naval Station Rota, Spain, March 8, 2019. Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is returning to Rota following its eighth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
By U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs / Published June 4, 2019
The U.S. Navy plans to rotate the four currently Forward Deployed Naval Force-Europe (FDNF-E) ships with newer, modernized ships in order to posture the most capable forces forward in the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) area of responsibility (AOR). Additionally, the U.S. Navy intends to relocate a helicopter maritime strike squadron (HSM) to Rota, Spain, in support of the destroyers, which will enhance the multi-mission roles of these ships.
Continuing to operate the FDNF-E destroyers out of Rota, Spain demonstrates the enduring relationship between the U.S. Navy and our Spanish naval allies. Additionally, the U.S. and Spanish navies will continue working together to conduct ship maintenance, training, and operations in support of maritime security within the EUCOM AOR.
The rotation of these ships will be staggered, with the first rotation scheduled to begin in 2020. During this rotation, FDNF-E ships will continue to conduct their assigned missions in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. The transition is expected to be complete by Spring 2022.
