In 2012, Mabus announced the BMD-capable destroyers
Donald Cook, USS Ross (DDG 71), and USS Porter (DDG 78) from Norfolk,
Va., and USS Carney (DDG 64) from Mayport, Fla. will be stationed
in Rota. Donald Cook will arrive in mid-February.
"The Naval Station Rota community is excited
about the arrival of the Sailors and families of USS Donald Cook.
Everyone is working together to ensure they have a smooth transition
as well as make them feel at home in Rota," said Capt. Greg Pekari,
NAVSTA Rota commanding officer. "We're looking forward to having
them enjoy the wonderful Spanish culture as well as the fantastic
relationships we've enjoyed with our Spanish hosts for more than 60
years."
These multi-mission ships will perform a myriad of
tasks, including NATO missile defense, the full spectrum of maritime
security operations, bi-lateral and multi-lateral training exercises,
and NATO operations and deployments. Ross will join Donald Cook in
Rota later this year, and Carney and Porter will arrive in 2015.
"The Donald Cook team is excited and honored
to be the first destroyer stationed in Rota, Spain," said Cmdr.
Scott A. Jones, commanding officer, Donald Cook. "We greatly
appreciate all the hard work from Naval Station Rota, Destroyer Squadron
60, Commander Naval Surface Force Atlantic, and Spain; they have all
worked tremendously hard to ensure the ship, Sailors, and our Families
are well supported as we transition into the Rota Community."
