KIEL, Germany –
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) arrived in Kiel, Germany, on June 21, 2019, for a scheduled port visit after completing multinational exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2019 in the Baltic Sea.
BALTOPS is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. Currently in its 47th year, this annual, multinational exercise brings together a robust professional constellation of allies and partners to conduct operations in support of favorable regional balances of power that safeguard security, prosperity and the free and open international order. The exercise incorporates maritime, ground, and air forces in order to strengthen the combined capabilities necessary for immediate crisis response and regional stability.
“BALTOPS was a unique opportunity to conduct dynamic and advanced training with numerous allies at once,” said Cmdr. Dave Coles, Ross’ Commanding Officer. “The success of this event is a testament to the professionalism and tactical proficiency of our allies and partners.”
While in port, the ship will participate in Kiel Week, the largest summer festival in Northern Europe. Ross Sailors are scheduled to participate in various social gatherings with allied navy counterparts and compete in a mariner skills contest with fellow BALTOPS participants.
Ross, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its eighth forward-deployed naval forces patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of regional allies and partners as well as U.S. national security interests in the region.
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.