TRIESTE, Italy –
The U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) arrived in Trieste, Italy, Jan. 30, 2018, for a scheduled port visit to enhance U.S.-Italy relations as the two nations continue to work together for a stable and secure Europe.
The ship’s presence in the Mediterranean Sea is a demonstration of the U.S. Navy’s continued commitment to the collective security of the European region.
“We have had a successful first month of patrol and we are glad to give the crew some well-earned time off in Trieste, Italy. The crew looks forward to this port visit and relationships we expect to build here. These types of visits allow us to gain enhanced ties with our allies and allow our sailors to experience the rich history of Italy”, said Command Master Chief Richard L. James Jr.
Strengthening partnerships during the port visit to Trieste builds enduring relationships while seeking opportunities to enhance our interoperability as NATO allies.
Previous port visits to Italy include the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Monterey (CG 61) in November 2017, USS Hue City (CG 66) in August 2017 and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) in December 2016.
Ross, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its sixth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of regional allies and partners and U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
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.