Black Sea: U.S. Guided Missile Warship Docks Near Russian Border In Georgia

U.S. Navy
August 18, 2014
USS Vella Gulf Arrives in Batumi, Georgia
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston Jones, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East Detachment Europe

BATUMI, Georgia: The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) arrived in Batumi, Georgia, for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 18.
While in Georgia, Vella Gulf is scheduled to participate in a joint training exercise with the Georgian Navy focusing on signaling and visit, board, search and seizure tactics. Vella Gulf will also host a reception onboard for Georgian dignitaries.
Vella Gulf’s mission in the Black Sea is to work with NATO allies and European partners, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to strengthening and improving interoperability while working toward mutual goals in the region.

Upon departing Georgia, Vella Gulf will continue its deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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