US navy warship USS Donald Cook enters the Black Sea
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Tuesday, November 24
For the 7th time since the beginning of this year, a US Navy ship has visited the Black Sea. The last ship to visit the region was USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) in September.
As the US Naval Forces, Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet announced, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) entered into the Black Sea on 23rd of November in support of NATO Allies and partners. According to the press release, the Black Sea is “a critical waterway for maritime commerce and stability throughout Europe.” While in the Black Sea, Donald Cook will conduct routine maritime security operations that support regional stability.
Cmdr. Kelley Jones, commanding officer of Donald Cook announced that operating in the Black Sea signifies US commitment to partners and allies in the region. “It is an important diplomatic mission, and Donald Cook has enjoyed the hospitality of Black Sea countries many times before,” he said.
The ship’s operations in the Black Sea aims to strengthen interoperability among NATO allies and partners and demonstrate collective resolve to Black Sea security under Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Donald Cook recently began its 11th patrol of the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility in support of US national security interests in Europe and Africa. The U.S. Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea consistent with international law, including the Montreux Convention to work with NATO Allies and partners, including Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. It is in the world’s best interest to maintain a stable, prosperous Black Sea region and deter aggressive actors who seek destabilization for their gain.
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, to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
Notably, as part of the US commitment to Georgia’s defense and territorial integrity through U.S. security assistance, the United States is equipping the Georgian Defense Forces’ (GDF) with 600 M249 portable, gas-operated, light machine guns, or Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW).
As part of the fielding plan, U.S. advisors will conduct a 2 week, “train-the-trainer” course for a team of 15 Georgian soldiers from the GDF’s Training and Military Education Command. Once proficient, the Georgian soldiers will then train teams from GDF’s Eastern and Western Operational Commands.
Ben Hodges, the former commander of the US Army in Europe wrote in an article published in the EUobserver that “We must send Georgia an invitation to join NATO immediately.”
In the context of recent developments around Nagorno-Karabakh and the strengthening of Russia's role there, the former senior Western military alliance official also considers it necessary to “strengthen NATO's presence in Georgia, including US air and naval infrastructure.”
The former commander of the US Army in Europe has previously said that NATO should invite Georgia to the alliance at the next summit. According to Hodge, strengthening Western military positions in the South Caucasus will make Russia aware that the region is of strategic interest to them.
Notably, the New York Times recently reported that Anthony Blinken, 58, will serve in the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden, the defender of global alliances, as Secretary of State.
Blinken began working in the State Department during the presidency of Bill Clinton. In the administration of President Barack Obama, he held the position of Deputy Secretary of State.
“Whatever you give, is yours, whatever you don't - is lost,” these words of Shota Rustaveli were used by Blinken in November 2015, in Washington, at the 5th plenary session of the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership, when he spoke about Georgia's significant contribution to global security.
