U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) returned to Rota, Spain after a four month deployment that included supporting French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle as it carried out strikes against ISIS.
Ross began its patrol in July 2016 and, apart from supporting operation Inherent Resolve, participated in exercise Sea Breeze 2016, spent 127 days on patrol in the Mediterranean and Black Seas and conducted 9 port calls while deployed.
During patrol, Ross visited Odessa, Ukraine, Toulon, France, Larnaca, Cypress, and Souda Bay, Greece.
The ship traveled over 18,000 miles, received over 13,000 pounds of mail, used over 2.6 million gallons of fuel, consumed over 920 gallons of milk and over 33,000 individual eggs and purchased more than three million dollars worth of supplies to support vital missions in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
“This has been an incredible patrol which has reaffirmed our commitment to our allies and partner nations in the region,” Commanding Officer USS Ross, Cmdr. Russell Caldwell , said. “I couldn’t be more proud of our crew and their remarkable professionalism they have shown over the past four months and I think every one is looking forward to a little down time with their families.”