USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Kalundborg, Denmark, April 2, 2023 for a scheduled port visit and mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR).
The ship’s presence in the Baltic Sea is a demonstration of the U.S. Navy’s continued commitment to collective defense of the European region and reinforces the strong bond between the United States and Denmark.
Mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR) evolutions allow U.S. Navy ships to accomplish necessary and preventative repairs to continue their missions in the region while simultaneously strengthening relationships with host nations.
“We’re grateful for the chance to see Denmark and to enhance our relationship with a key NATO ally,” said Cmdr. Joe Hamilton, Porter’s commanding officer. “Our time in Denmark is a chance for us to conduct vital maintenance and repairs as well as a great opportunity for the crew to meet the people of Kalundborg.”
The ship has conducted previous port stops in Funchal, Portugal, Rostock, Germany, and Tallinn, Estonia while on her current deployment.
Porter’s deployment to the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations comes months after a homeport shift from Naval Station Rota, Spain to Naval Station Norfolk in October 2022. Porter spent seven years in Spain as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe force, conducting eleven patrols in that time period. The patrols took Porter throughout the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, including the Baltic, North, Norwegian, and Mediterranean Seas, as well as the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, in support of U.S., allied, and partner interests.
“Porter’s crew has performed superbly since our return to the region for this deployment,” said Hamilton. “We’ve learned and enjoyed our training with our allied and partner Navies. We are looking forward to our time in Kalundborg.”
The U.S. and Denmark are committed to working together and improving interoperability through port visits, operations, and exercises like Defender Europe and Baltic Operations (BALTOPS).