The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) departed the Black Sea, arriving in Golcuk, Turkey for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 15.

While in Goluck, the ship’s crew will have the opportunity to participate in Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) coordinated tours and events to learn about the history and experience the city’s rich culture.

“In the last three weeks, Arleigh Burke sailors have conducted port visits, strengthened relationships, and operated with our Black Sea partners and NATO allies,” said Cmdr. Patrick Chapman, commanding officer of Arleigh Burke. “We are honored to be welcomed in Turkey and to continually demonstrate our Navy’s commitment to allies and partners in the region.”

Arleigh Burke entered the Black Sea Nov. 25 to operate with NATO allies and partners in the region. Arleigh Burke’s exercises and operations demonstrate U.S. and NATO’s continued commitment to collective defense of the European region and reinforce the strength of the NATO alliance.

Arleigh Burke began its current patrol in August, operating in the Baltic and Barents Seas alongside naval allies and partners, including ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1. The ship also conducted port calls in Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland, underscoring the importance of Baltic relationships to the strength of the NATO Alliance.

Operating from the High North through the Mediterranean and into the Black Sea highlights the capability and capacity Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) ships bring to the European theater. These inherently mobile, multi-mission capable ships routinely operate throughout the waters of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating their mastery of the maritime domain.

Arleigh Burke is one of four U.S. Navy destroyers based at Naval Station Rota, Spain, and assigned to Commander Task Force 65 in support of NATO’s Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.