BALTIC SEA –
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Lithuanian minesweeper LNS KURSIS (M54), April 18, 2020.
The exercise took place in the East Baltic Sea within the Lithuanian economic exclusionary zone. The ships rendered honors to each other, with personnel on both ships manning the rails and saluting during the port-to-port passage. The PASSEX is a symbol of Donald Cook’s dedication to interoperability with NATO partners, especially in the region surrounding the Baltic Sea.
“It was an opportune moment to meet one of our partners on the high seas and exchange a friendly salute,” said Cmdr. Kelley Jones, Donald Cook’s Commanding Officer.
Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its 10th patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.