The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) executed a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Spanish naval counterparts in the Atlantic Ocean, June 25, 2020. Roosevelt and the Spanish vessel ESPS Reina Sofia (F-84) participated in tactical formation sailing as well as a photo exercise. U.S. Navy vessels routinely conduct training with allies and partners in order to increase capacity and capability as we work together to strengthen regional ties.
The formation and photo exercise with ESPS Reina Sofia were an excellent training opportunity to practice command and control with our NATO allies as well as execute precise ship handling maneuvers,” said Cmdr. Ryan Kendall, Roosevelt’s Commanding Officer. “These exercises strengthen our navies’ professional relationships and build upon our shared NATO Alliance goals.”
USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. Roosevelt began its first patrol as a Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) asset on June 23 with the PASSEX serving as its first multinational exercise as a member of the U.S. 6th Fleet. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
