US Navy destroyer arrives in Plymouth, UK, for FOST certification

U.S. Navy sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrived in Plymouth, United Kingdom, for a regular port visit and for the opportunity to complete the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) certification

FOST is an advanced warfare certification training event conducted with the Royal Navy.

FOST delivers through-life operational training across all disciplines for Royal Navy/Royal Fleet Auxiliary and other navies that wish to make use of its services. The training prepares all types of surface warships, submarines and auxiliaries for peacetime, peace-support and war-fighting operations.

“It’s great to be in the waters of the southwest British Isles again for Flag Officer Sea Training,” Cmdr. Timothy Moore, USS Donald Cook commanding officer said. “Our sailors look forward to visiting the historic city of Plymouth as we prepare to conduct multi-warfare area training with our British hosts.”

USS Donald Cook is one of four U.S. Navy destroyers forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, and is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet. The ship deployed from Naval Station Rota Dec. 3, 2016.