NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain –
Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator from Virginia, visited Naval Station Rota, Spain, Nov. 9, 2018, to meet with service members and tour the base’s major Spanish and American commands.
Kaine and his delegation toured the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), homeported at the Naval Station Rota.
Capt. Joseph Gagliano, deputy commodore, Destroyer Squadron 60, began the tour with a theater-specific current events brief. Kaine then received an introduction to Donald Cook’s history and capabilities, followed by a tour through the ship’s major watchstations. Each watchstation featured a subject matter expert from the crew to discuss a different facet of the ship’s mission set and their experience in the Navy.
Briefers’ expertise spanned navigation, combat systems, engineering, and logistics.
“It was a pleasure to have Senator Kaine on board today, the crew was able to showcase some of their hard-earned experience and give the Senator an idea of what life is like on a forward-deployed warship.” said Cmdr. Matt Powel, commanding officer of Donald Cook. “He showed interest in both the systems on board and the daily life of the Sailors, which was well-received by the ship’s crew.”
Donald Cook is designed to conduct prompt, sustained combat operations at sea in support of U.S. national policy. The ship is equipped to operate independently in a high-density multi-threat environment or as a member of a carrier strike group or expeditionary strike group.