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NEWS | Nov. 3, 2019

USS Porter Returns to Rota

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class T. Logan Keown

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) returned to Naval Station Rota following the completion of its seventh forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) patrol, Nov. 3, 2019.

Porter departed Rota July 22, 2019, to conduct naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

"I'm very proud of this crew of champions for a wildly successful patrol,” said Cmdr. Craig Trent, commanding officer of Porter. “We worked hard together as a team, flexed to overcome many obstacles, and accomplished the mission as a team.  I'm excited for our return home and the opportunity it provides to reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones."

During the patrol, Porter visited the Black Sea twice and conducted at-sea training with Ukrainian, Romanian, and Turkish navies and the Georgian Coast Guard.

The ship conducted port visits in Varna, Bulgaria; Constanta, Romania; Golcuk, Turkey; Koper, Slovenia; Marseille, France; Odesa, Ukraine; and Batumi, Georgia. In total, the ship travelled approximately 17,500 nautical miles, taking on more than 1,007,000 gallons of fuel and completing four replenishments-at-sea in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Additionally, Porter Sailors volunteered in eight community relations events.

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.