The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) participated in a bilateral underway engagement with the Turkish Navy in the Black Sea, April 12 and 13, 2015.
During the first part of the event, Jason Dunham and the Turkish frigate TCG Turgutreis, conducted joint maneuvers, a mutual detection exercise and practiced establishing communications through various means.
Cmdr. Darren Dugan, USS Jason Dunham commanding officer, said:
This exercise with our Turkish partners was a huge success due to the outstanding professionalism of U.S. and Turkish Navy Sailors. From surface to sub-surface scenarios, we were able to practice the most important skill we have when working alongside our allies; effective communication.
The second half of the engagement was an anti-submarine warfare exercise. A Turkish CN-235 maritime reconnaissance aircraft worked with Jason Dunham and Turgutreis to locate and simulate an engagement against the Turkish submarine TCG Yildiray.
The underway engagement was aimed at improving maritime capabilities and reassuring NATO allies and regional partners of the United States’ commitment to the alliance and to maritime security and stability in the Black Sea region.
Jason Dunham, homeported in Norfolk, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. The ship deployed from Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 23.
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Image: US Navy