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USS Normandy Arrives in Baltiysk for FRUKUS 2012

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120626-08
6/26/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stephen Oleksiak, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

BALTIYSK, Russia (NNS) -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) arrived in Baltiysk, Russia, to participate in the annual multinational Exercise FRUKUS 2012, June 24.

While the ship remained anchored off of the coast, senior leadership went ashore to meet with local civilian and military officials in support of the exercise.

"We are very pleased to be in Baltiysk and look forward to beginning FRUKUS with our Baltic partners," said Capt. Kevin Hill, commanding officer of Normandy. "We appreciate the people of Baltiysk for their hospitality and can't wait to get started."

After attending office calls with Russian navy leadership, Normandy hosted a tour for Russian navy Rear Adm. Sergei Popov, commander, Naval Base Baltiysk of the Baltic Fleet, and Ivan Ivanovich Cherbin, mayor of Baltiysk, who served 36 years in the Russian Federation navy.

"We are happy to have an American cruiser participating in the exercise," said Rear Adm. Popov. "In my earlier years, I served aboard destroyers, so it is pleasant that the U.S. Navy could provide such a versatile and mission-capable ship. We are glad that they are here."

FRUKUS is an annual exercise aimed at improving maritime security through an open dialogue and increased training between the navies of France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States.