March 15, the U.S. Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) piered at Klaipėda Seaport for a port visit as it sails U.S. Navy assignments in the Baltic Sea. It was shown in by armed escort of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Divers of the Lithuanian Navy Harbor and Littoral Waters Defence Service. The guest ship is guarded from fast rescue boats throughout the visit in the port water area.
USS Porter (DDG 78) Commanding Officer Commander Joseph S. Hamilton had a meeting with Commander of the Lithuanian Navy Captain (N) Giedrius Premeneckas on the security situation in the Baltic Sea and ongoing cooperation between the Lithuanian and the U.S. Navies.
The Arleigh Burke class destroyer is armed with different types of torpedoes, missiles, artillery and gunnery systems. It carries a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter to ensure support during operations at sea. The USS Porter (DDG 78) is manned by nearly 300 officers, NCOs and seamen.
The Lithuanian Navy has been in a tight cooperation with the U.S. Navy since its re-establishment in 1992, in summer of the same year the USS Hawes (FFG-53) frigate was the first U.S. Navy ship to visit Klaipėda. The cooperation is intense at the different maneuvers on the Baltic Sea, Lithuanian officers and soldiers are ceaselessly improving qualifications at various schools and courses of the U.S. Navy.
Information credit: Lithuanian Navy
Photo credits: Karolis Kavolėlis
Video credits: Sgt Spc 1st Class Lukas Kalvaitis
