USS Fort McHenry arrived in Constanța

US Navy USS Fort McHenry, with embarked elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Constanța, Romania, on January 7, after transiting the Dardanelles Strait on January 6. US Navy amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) is a Whidbey Island-class ship.

“USS Fort McHenry’s transit into the Black Sea reaffirms our collective resolve to Black Sea security and enhances our strong relationships with our NATO allies and partners in the region”, said in a statement Vice Admiral Lisa M. Franchetti, Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. “Our routine operations in the Black Sea also demonstrate the inherent flexibility and capability of U.S. 6th Fleet naval forces”, Vice Admiral Franchetti added.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Marines aboard USS Fort McHenry will visit the historic Constanța City. Romanian Fleet Command will welcome USS Fort McHenry representatives, and Romanian troops from the 307 Marine Battalion will carry out a documentary visit aboard the US ship.

USS Fort McHenry is scheduled to get underway from Constanța on January 10 and will be joined by Romanian Navy frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand for a series of exercises in Romanian and international waters of the Black Sea.

Sources:RRA, US Navy, NavalToday. Translated by Miruna Matei