USS Porter Arrives in Bulgaria

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April19, 2006

By Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Commander, Sixth Fleet Public Affairs

 The guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) pulled into the port of Varna, Bulgaria today, a planned event that will directly support the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (CNE) strategic priority of strengthening the two countries’ partnership.

 “Our participation in this port visit and future activities help to strengthen our partnership with Bulgaria,” said Commander Task Force 67 Capt. Bob Lally, who assumed tactical control of the ship on April 3. “Events such as this go a long way to improve interoperability and foster good will and a spirit of teamwork. We look forward to a great port visit and are very excited about the host of initiatives that are currently being considered by both of our countries. Continued dialogue and interaction will only help improve future Navy to Navy relations and advance our collective interest in Black Sea security and maritime domain awareness.”

For the second time this year, USS Porter and crew of about 315 Sailors are in the Black Sea to conduct maritime activities with emerging and enduring partners. During their first visit in February, the ship operated with the Ukrainian and Romanian navies, both at sea and in port.

Since coming back to the region earlier this month, the ship has trained with the Romanian, Georgian and Turkish navies in a variety of activities, including maneuvering exercises, communication drills, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training, damage control, antisubmarine warfare exercises and a small arms live fire exercises.

“It’s great to be back in the Black Sea,” said Cmdr. Doug Nashold, USS Porter’s commanding officer. “Working with our Black Sea counterparts is a positive and rewarding time for everyone involved, especially the ship’s crew.”

Porter, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer homeported in Norfolk, Va., has been forward deployed to the CNE – Commander, 6th Fleet area of responsibility since late November. Porter has been conducting operations in the Mediterranean and Black Seas in support of maritime and theater security cooperation.

The 507-foot-long ship weighs almost 9,000 tons and can exceed speeds of 30 knots. The ship, which was commissioned in March 1999, can conduct air, surface and sub-surface operations simultaneously.