ODESSA, Ukraine – The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) pulled into Odessa, Ukraine July 23, for a scheduled port call as part of Sea Breeze 2016. 

The U.S. Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and international law. Ross is currently working with allies and regional partners to help develop and improve our maritime forces, maintain regional security and work toward mutual goals in order to advance security and stability in Europe.

“We are looking forward to our first port call of the patrol.  Our sailors have been working very hard to get ready for Sea Breeze.  I think this port will be a great opportunity for them to experience a new culture and help build relations with our partner nations," said Cmdr. Russell Caldwell, USS Ross (DDG 71), Commanding Officer.

This is the 15th iteration of Sea Breeze, which is an annual exercise held in the Black Sea designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen regional security. USS Ross, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

The ship deployed from Naval Station Rota July 14, 2016. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

(Information from U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa / U.S. 6th Fleet)