ROTA, Spain –
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) departed its homeport of Rota, Spain, to execute its ninth Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol, May 22, 2026.
Roosevelt, named after U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor, is one of five U.S. Navy destroyers based in Rota, Spain and assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 in support of NATO’s Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture. These FDNF-E 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.
“Throughout the past seven weeks, this crew has trained hard, prepared relentlessly, and proven that we are ready for whatever our next mission demands,” says Cmdr. R. J. DaPrato, commanding officer, USS Roosevelt. “It is an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with these sailors as we head to sea and continue the legacy of excellence that this ship has earned.”
Roosevelt returned from a six-and-a-half-month patrol on March 27, 2026. During the patrol, the ship operated in the 5th and 6th fleet Area of Operations. For the past seven weeks, the crew has been working diligently to prepare for the patrol, focusing on maintenance and training. Roosevelt is scheduled to conduct operations and exercises as directed by U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and C6F, including working directly alongside allies and partners throughout the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Atlantic Ocean.
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.