USS Roosevelt conducts PASSEX with Turkish frigate in the Black Sea

The Arleigh Burke-Class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) completed a series of passing and communication exercises (PASSEX) with the Turkish Navy on 1st October in the Black Sea, the U.S. Navy anounced.

Roosevelt conducted a passing exercise with the Turkish Navy’s Barbaros-class frigate TCG Barbaros (F 244). These maneuvers enhanced the tactical proficiency of both ships through precision ship handling and communication.

The Black Sea is a critical waterway for maritime commerce and stability throughout Europe. The U.S. Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea to work with our NATO Allies and partners, including Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. It is in the world’s best interest to maintain a stable, prosperous Black Sea region and deter aggressive actors who seek destabilization for their own gain.

This is the sixth time a U.S. Navy ship has visited the Black Sea in 2020. The last ship to visit was USS Porter (DDG 78) in July during exercise Sea Breeze 2020. Roosevelt is focused on enhancing regional maritime stability, combined readiness, and naval capability.

Roosevelt is conducting its first forward-deployed naval patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national and NATO security interests in Europe and Africa.

Four U.S. Navy destroyers, including Roosevelt, are based in Rota, Spain, and assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 in support of NATO’s Integrated Air Missile Defense architecture. These Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe ships have the flexibility to 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.

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