USS Donald Cook Ends Time as FDNF-E Asset> United States Navy> News Stories

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The USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), the Aegis class-leading ship of guided missile destroyers with the latest AEGIS waste 9 upgrade, replaces Donald Cook in second of four scheduled homeport relocation that will occur in support of the U.S. Navy’s long-range plan to gradually rotate Rota-based Destroyers. The USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) replaced the USS Carney (DDG 64) in the first homeport shift.

“These Sailors have distinguished themselves throughout the five years deployed overseas,” Capt. Joseph Gagliano, Commander, Destroyers Squadron 60 and Task Force 65. “Their contribution to NATO security and freedom of navigation is a legacy that will continue today with Arleigh Burke.”

Donald Cook placed its operation in the U.S. Sixth Fleet by conducting operations in the Black Sea.

Arriving with the U.S. Sixth Fleet in 2014 as one of the first Rota-based FDNF-E destroyers under Commander, Task Force (CTF) 65, Donald Cook immediately carried out operational work by conducting operations on Black Sea following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. After 11 patrols and numerous visits to the Black Sea, the ship wrapped up its final visit to the Black Sea in support of NATO Allies and partners in the region, Feb. 10, 2021. On this last visit, Donald Cook conducted presence operations, showing commitment. to NATO allies and partners, and engages in exercises that strengthen interoperability and collective readiness.

Donald Cook’s commitment to NATO Allies and partners in the region extended beyond the Black Sea. During his time in Europe, Donald Cook operated from the Barents Sea above Europe, to the Gulf of Guinea along the west coast of Africa.

“Donald Cook’s time in the Sixth Fleet has given this ship and its crew a number of invaluable experiences unique to this Operation Area to include operating in the Black Sea, crossing the Arctic Circle, and many more. international operations, ”Cmdr. Matthew Curnen, Donald Cook’s commanding officer. “My time in the Sixth Fleet was unlike any other I have experienced in my naval career. I am so grateful for the opportunities and challenges it has presented that have helped us all grow professionally and personally.”

The agility and capabilities of the Arleigh Burke class destroyer have made it an ideal platform to integrate and strengthen relationships with allies and partners in the region.

Throughout Donald Cook’s time in the U.S. Sixth Fleet, the ship participated in previous iterations of Exercise Sea Breeze, BALTOPs, Phoenix Express, Formidable Shield, Atlas Handshake, and other multi-lateral maritime training opportunities with partners to include Algeria, France, Georgia, Italy, Morocco, and Norway. The mission ranges in these exercises include surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and counter-air events focused on maintaining maritime stability and security.

Notable milestones include Donald Cook’s visit in October 2019 to the High North for the first time. The presence of the ship in the Arctic Circle reaffirmed the United States commitment to the security and stability of the region, as well as the Navy’s ability to ship to many different environments at short notice, and the value of having air force. deployed naval forces available to work in the region.

The visit also gave the crew the rare opportunity to become “Blue Nose” Sailors when the ship crossed the Arctic Circle- a Navy tradition that only Sailors who went to the Arctic could claim. Donald Cook’s time in the High North followed a historic visit to the port in the Faroe Islands, with Donald Cook being the first Navy shipwreck to visit the island, and the first Navy vessel to visit in 33 years.

“It’s been a bitter departure from Rota,” said Second Class Surgery Specialist Jory Fetterolf. “My time in Spain has been an amazing opportunity to experience a different culture and has given me the opportunity to travel to places I wouldn’t have seen if I wasn’t set here, however, I’m excited to be back in the Unites States to be close to family. “

Donald Cook completed a final conduct in the Aegean Sea to conduct maneuver exercises with the Arleigh Burke-class guidance-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) to end the final patrol. The two intimidators formed a Surface Action Group (SAG) led by Capt. Joseph Gagliano, commander, Task Force 65, who rode Roosevelt while it was being carried out. SAG has conducted a number of scenarios to provide integrated training and testing of real-time response to combat situations.

Named US Marine Corps Col. Donald G. Cook, a prisoner of War during the Vietnam War who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, scheduled Donald Cook to return to his former homeport of Mayport, Fla.

The Forward-depaced Naval Forces-Europe ships have the flexibility to operate across the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their expertise in the maritime domain.

CTF 65 and Destroyer Squadron 60, headquartered in Rota, Spain, oversee the FDNF of the C6F area of ​​operations in support of allies and regional in the region as well as U.S. national security interests in Europe. and Africa.

The U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in conjunction with allies and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. .

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