USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), named after Paul Ignatius who served because the Secretary of the navy from 1967 to 1969, changed Ross within the third of 4 scheduled homeport shifts to happen in assist of the U.S. Navy’s long-range plan to progressively rotate the Rota-based destroyers. USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) changed USS Carney (DDG 64) within the first homeport shift and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) changed USS Donald Prepare dinner (DDG 75) within the second.
“Ross and her crew carried out admirably whereas working as a FDNF-E destroyer,” mentioned Capt. Ed Sundberg, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 60 and Process Pressure 65. “For eight years, your entire Ross group stood shoulder to shoulder with our allies and companions constructing interoperability and bolstering capabilities by enjoying important roles in workouts and operations.”
Ross joined USS Donald Prepare dinner in June 2014 as the primary two Rota-based FDNF-E destroyers underneath Commander, Process Pressure (CTF) 65. Upon arrival to C6F, Ross executed her first patrol within the Baltic Sea taking part in Sea Breeze with Ukraine, strengthening our presence and partnerships.
After 12 patrols whereas assigned to U.S. Sixth Fleet, Ross wrapped up her last patrol within the Mediterranean strengthening our alliances and partnerships whereas working alongside NATO Allies and regional companions, throughout the onset of the Russian invasion into Ukraine. Ross’s contribution as an FDNF-E ship has demonstrated our enduring dedication to our NATO allies and our companions.
Ross’ dedication to NATO Allies and regional companions prolonged properly past the Mediterranean. Throughout her 8 years crusing from Rota, Spain, Ross frequented workouts and operations with allies within the Black Sea, Baltic Sea, Barents, Artic Circle, and off the Coast of Africa and visited quite a few nations.
“In the present day’s challenges require robust alliances and partnerships that reveal our integration and interoperability capabilities. I’m extraordinarily grateful for for the alternatives Ross has had, and humbled to have the privilege serving abroad with such an outstanding crew,” mentioned Cmdr. Scott Jones, Ross’ commanding officer. “Our experiences in Sixth Fleet have been priceless, and we is not going to quickly neglect the teachings now we have discovered, or the friendships now we have made, as we set sail to Norfolk.”
The agility and capabilities of the Arleigh Burke class destroyer has made it a great platform to combine and strengthen relations with regional allies and companions.
All through Ross’ time in U.S. Sixth Fleet, the ship participated in earlier iterations of Train Sea Breeze, Breeze, African Lion, FOST, BALTOPs, Formidable Protect, and different multi-lateral maritime coaching alternatives with companions to incorporate Cyprus, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Romania, Ukraine and the UK. Mission units throughout these workouts included floor warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, and strike warfare eventualities that target sustaining maritime stability and safety.
Ross has many notable milestones to mirror on to incorporate, launching 35 Tomahawk Land Assault Missiles alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78), making certain the liberty and nationwide safety of allied nations, establishing a presence within the Arctic Circle, spending 35 days within the excessive north reinforcing the USA’ dedication to regional safety and stability within the area and taking part with over 30 counties in train Sea Breeze establishing a unified entrance within the Black Sea. Her milestones continued with, conducting lifesaving emergency search-and-rescue operations for a civilian Turkish vessel within the Sea of Marmara saving three lives, and absolutely integrating into the French, Charles De Gaulle Provider Strike group to assist Operation Inherent Resolve.
“Being ahead deployed out of Rota, Spain gave me nice alternatives to journey and expertise new cultures,” mentioned Sonar Technician (Floor) 3rd Class Petty Officer Dusten Salas. “He’s grateful for the chance to work with the Charles de Gaulle Strike group.”
Ross accomplished one last underway to the Baltic Sea to make sure freedom of navigation of the excessive seas by establishing its presence and dealing with NATO allies within the area.
Named after Medal of Honor recipient, Donald Kirby Ross for his motion throughout the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor, Ross is scheduled to return to its former homeport of Norfolk, VA.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has cast strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of accountability. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by means of the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
