USS Ross Arrives in Turkey

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, for a scheduled port visit, Nov. 9.

Ross’ visit to Turkey reaffirms to NATO allies that the U.S. Navy shares a commitment to strengthening ties while working toward mutual goals of promoting peace and stability in the Black Sea region.

This was Ross’ second visit to the Black Sea in 2014, in both cases it’s mission was to strengthening partnerships and assuring U.S. allies as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

The U.S. Navy routinely operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and International Law. Ross’ mission is to reassure NATO allies of the U.S. Navy’s commitment to strengthen and improve interoperability while working toward mutual goals in the region.

Ross is deployed in a multi-mission role in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to contribute to regional maritime security, perform search and rescue activities, support humanitarian missions, conduct bi-lateral and multi-lateral training missions, and to support NATO operations and deployments, throughout the region.

Ross, the second of four Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to be forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on a scheduled patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations as part of the President’s European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) to ballistic missile defense in Europe.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with joint, allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa