U.S. Navy Ship Makes Port Call in Batumi

The USS Ross (DDG 71), one of the United States Navy’s guided-mission destroyers, is making a port call in Batumi on Georgia’s Black Sea coast on April 21-25.

According to the U.S. Naval Forces’ European Command, the vessel entered the Black Sea on April 14 “to strengthen interoperability” with NATO allies and partners and to demonstrate “commitment to security in the Black Sea region.”

Commander of the ship David S. Coles said, the allies in the Black Sea “continue to play a key role in maintaining security in the European theater.”

“The crew and I look forward to enhancing our interoperability in a dynamic environment as well as experiencing the rich history and culture in this region,” he also noted.

In a statement on April 21, the U.S. Embassy in Georgia stated, the visit “serves to highlight the continued cooperation between the U.S. and Georgia by promoting regional peace and stability.”

This is be the USS Ross’ first visit to Georgia. The U.S. Navy routinely operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention limiting the duration of presence of the non-litoral states to the sea.

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