BLACK SEA –
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) completed operations in the Black Sea, Oct. 2, 2020.
During this time Roosevelt conducted tactical exercises, as well as a number of other joint force operations with the Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Turkish navies. In addition, the ship worked with U.S. and British Air Forces.
Since its arrival in the Black Sea, Roosevelt has worked alongside Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 fighters, a Ukrainian Navy Mi-14 helicopter, NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, U.S. Navy P-8 Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft as part of joint exercises and ongoing integration of air and maritime units in the U.S. Sixth Fleet. The ultimate goal is to refine joint air defense procedures and maritime domain awareness to expand operations in the Black Sea.
The ship also executed multiple passing exercises with Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Turkish naval counterparts.
"Maneuvering and tactical exercises with our NATO partners serve as an excellent demonstration of combined command and control and our collaborative security operations,” said Cmdr. Ryan Kendall, Roosevelt’s commanding officer. “These exercises strengthen our navies' professional relationships and build upon our shared NATO alliance goals."
U.S. Navy vessels routinely conduct training with allies and partners in order to increase capacity and capability as they work together to strengthen regional ties.
Roosevelt conducted a bilateral exercise on Sept. 20, with the Bulgarian Navy Koni-class frigates BGS Smeli (F-11), and BGS Bodri (F-13). A week later, on Sept. 29, Roosevelt met three Ukrainian Navy vessels: the Gurza-M-class UKRS Kastopol (P 180), and UKRS Nikopol (P 176), and the Island-class patrol boat UKRS Starobilsk (P 191) for similar exercises. Then, just two days following on Oct. 1, Roosevelt met the Turkish Barbaros-class frigate TCG Barbaros (F 244) to hone her maneuvering skills once more.
“It’s professionally rewarding to operate in the Black Sea; we’re able to consistently set -up, troubleshoot, and execute communications circuits for the many different exercises,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Nathan C. Sneed. “And the straits transits gave me the realization of how far we are from home and the opportunities we have in the Navy.”
The Black Sea is a critical waterway for maritime commerce and stability throughout Europe. The U.S. Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea to work with our NATO Allies and partners, including Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. It is in the world’s best interest to maintain a stable, prosperous Black Sea region and deter aggressive actors who seek destabilization for their own gain.
The ship’s operations in the Black Sea strengthens interoperability among NATO allies and partners and demonstrate collective resolve to Black Sea security under Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Roosevelt, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
Four U.S. Navy destroyers, including Roosevelt are based in Rota, Spain, and assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 in support of NATO’s Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture. These Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe ships have the flexibility to operate throughout the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime domain.
U.S. Sixth 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.