U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) returned to Naval Station Rota, Spain on June 12, for a mid-patrol availability period.
Carney is currently on its third forward-deployed naval force ballistic missile defense patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
“So far, this patrol we’ve taken part in exercise Joint Warrior and Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) with our NATO allies and partners” said Cmdr. Peter Halvorsen, commanding officer of USS Carney. “The training was strenuous and challenging, but the ship and crew are now more prepared to face the challenges of operating in U.S. 6th Fleet. We also had the opportunity to build upon our strong friendships through port visits to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and our host nation, Spain.”
Carney participated in Joint Warrior 17-1, a semi-annual, U.K.-led multinational exercise led by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff in the U.K. which is conducted to improve interoperability between NATO and partner navies.
Once Joint Warrior concluded, Carney participated in FOST with the Royal British Navy. FOST’s training prepares all types of surface warships, submarines and auxiliaries for peacetime, peace-support, and war-fighting operations. The FOST certification aims to certify NATO ships in advanced warfare areas.
After Joint Warrior and FOST, Carney contributed to Operation Atlantic Resolve and patrolled in the Baltic Sea to show the U.S. Navy’s commitment to NATO partners and allies in the region.
During the first half of its patrol, Carney visited Faslane, Scotland; Plymouth, England; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Kiel, Germany; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
The destroyer also held receptions for distinguished visitors in Amsterdam and Kiel.