MEDITERRANEAN SEA –
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78), participated in an interoperability event with the Hellenic Armed Forces in the Mediterranean Sea, Feb. 19, 2021.
Hellenic National Defense General Staff disposed the frigate HS Adrias (F-459), the submarine HS Pontos (S-119), and four F-16s which exercised tactical maneuvers and communications procedures with the USS Porter. This allowed the participating forces to test and refine command and control processes between the two NATO Allies.
The co-training included advanced maneuvers as well as communications, air defense, anti-submarine and electronic warfare items. It further contributed to the increase of the level of operational readiness, combat capability and cooperation of the participating forces.
“Today’s bilateral exercises offered a great opportunity to demonstrate interoperability between our forces and further deepen our countries’ military-to-military relationship, which is at a historic high point,” said Ambassador Geoffrey R. Pyatt, U.S. Embassy to Greece. “The United States is committed to advancing our shared regional defense and security goals, as we have reaffirmed during our Strategic Dialogue and through our updated Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement.”
Greece is a vital NATO Ally, showing a commitment to regional peace and stability. Greece, hosts U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, enabling U.S., Allied, and partner nation forces to operate and transit in and across the critical sea lanes of the Mediterranean Sea.
"Training at sea alongside our Greek allies demonstrates our commitment to improved interoperability and maritime security," said Cmdr. Thomas Ralston, commanding officer of Porter. "Exercises like this strengthen our naval capability and combined readiness with the Hellenic forces."
The ship’s presence in the Mediterranean is a demonstration of the U.S. Navy’s continued commitment to strengthening our strategic partnerships in the European region.
Porter is on her 9th patrol in U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
Four U.S. Navy destroyers, including Porter, are based in Rota, Spain, and assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 in support of NATO’s Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture. These Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe 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.
U.S. Sixth 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.