Sep
It is the fourth and last NATO missile shield program ship.
In a formal ceremony held at 13:00 today, and in the presence of the US Embassy Deputy Chief to Spain, the Rota Naval Base received the USS Carney (DDG 64), who will join the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Porter (DDG 78), already stationed in Rota since February, June 2014 and April 2015 respectively.
The arrival of the USS Carney completes the deployment of the four Arleigh Burke guided missile destroyers that will operate from Spain as the contribution from both Spain and the U.S. to the architecture of NATO's missile defense, agreed on at the Lisbon Summit on November 2010, as a preventive measure against the potential threat the proliferation of ballistic missiles could pose to European members of the Alliance. To do so, the four ships are equipped with the integrated Aegis combat system and the ability to operate SM3 missiles.
Without prejudice to their main mission, these ships are also actively involved in security operations and maritime surveillance in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas, as well as in various multinational exercises and deployments. In this regard, the presence of the US Navy destroyers at Rota poses a great opportunity for the Spanish Navy to enhance mutual training and cooperation.
Also noteworthy is the significant positive economic impact this deployment will impart to Spain, in particular to the municipalities of Cadiz Bay, not only because of having contracted with Navantia company the ship maintenance facilities, which is estimated at about two hundred million euros, but also of what the US presence in Rota represents, an increase of population of approximately three thousand five hundred Americans who will reside in the area.
