The USS Donald Cook concluded its Black Sea operations this week, the Navy said.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer transited to the Mediterranean Sea Wednesday after conducting presence operations in the Black Sea that started in late January.

Earlier this week the Cook and the USS Porter, as well as a P-8A reconnaissance plane, participated in a joint Navy exercise with the Turkish vessels TCG Orucreis and TCG Turgutreis and two F-16 fighter planes from Turkey's air force.

According to the Navy, the Cook made a port visit to Batumi, Georgia, last week.

Formally-dressed sailors were greeted by counterparts from the Georgian Coast Guard in a formal arrival ceremony before Cmdr. Matthew Curnen, Donald Cook's commanding officer, participated in a virtual meet and greet with senior officers from the Georgian Coast Guard, as well as Kelly Degnan, the U.S. ambassador to Georgia.

"We enjoyed an extremely warm welcome in Batumi, and then gained valuable tactical experience by practicing with our Turkish counterparts. I'm glad that even in the COVID era, we are able to work with partners to increase our collective readiness," Curnen said.

The Porter left its home port of Rota, Spain, in January to conduct routine maritime security operations in the Black Sea.

On Jan. 30, a Russian fighter jet conducted a low pass over the vessel in international waters.

The incident didn't prompt any formal complaints from the United States, but U.S. officials have criticized other recent Russian fighter plane activity in the area, such as Russia's interception of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber last August.

Related Links
Naval Warfare in the 21st Century

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

USS Makin Island, USS Port Royal, USNS Carl Brashear enter Arabian Gulf
Washington DC (UPI) Feb 9, 2021
Three U.S. vessels - the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal and the dry cargo ship USNS Carl Brashear - transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Arabian Gulf Monday. According to the U.S. Marine Corps, the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit will operate alongside regional and coalition partners to support Operations Inherent Resolve and Enduring Freedom. "The Makin Island ARG/15th MEU is an i ... read more