Today, Monday, the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) Arley Burke guided missile destroyer entered the Black Sea to support NATO allies and partners, as announced by the US Navy in Europe, Africa and the United States / Sixth Fleet.

This visit marks the seventh time that a US Navy ship has been in the Black Sea since the beginning of 2020. The last ship to visit the region was USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) last September.

Commander Kelly Jones, Commanding Officer in Donald Cook, said, "Working in the Black Sea demonstrates our commitment to partners and allies in the region. It is an important diplomatic mission, and Donald Cook has enjoyed the hospitality of the Black Sea countries many times before."

In a Sixth Fleet press release, the Black Sea is "an important waterway for maritime trade and stability throughout Europe. The US Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea to work with our NATO allies and partners, including Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine."