USS Donald Cook Starts First FDNF Patrol

The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, March 14.

Donald Cook is the first of four destroyers to be part of the Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Rota which is part of the Phased Adaptive Approach to protect European allies, partners, U.S. forces in the region, and the U.S. homeland against current and emerging ballistic missile threats.

“From theater security cooperation in the Mediterranean, to NATO exercises and training, to maritime security operations, this ship is capable of conducting prompt, sustained combat operations at sea in support of U.S. national policy,” said Cmdr. Scott Jones, Donald Cook’s commanding officer.

While on patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, Donald Cook will perform numerous missions, including NATO missile defense, maritime security operations, bilateral and multilateral training exercises.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full range of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency, and other parties in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Press Release, March 17, 2014, 2014; Image: Wikimedia