On March 15, the USS Carney arrived in Cape Town, South Africa for a scheduled port visit.

The Carney, a guided missile destroyer, and her crew are on their seventh patrol in the European and African theaters. This visit serves to continue efforts to build global maritime partnerships with African nations in order to improve maritime safety and security in the region.

Prompted by a personal request from U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Lana Marks to have a U.S. ship visit South Africa, U.S. Naval Forces Africa coordinated this stop for USS Carney during its patrol in the African theater.

"This historic visit reinforces the strong, broad, and excellent friendship between the United States and South Africa," said Marks.

Ambassador Marks, who greeted the Carney upon arrival in the port of Cape Town, stated, "This visit of the USS Carney to Cape Town is a symbol of the United States' commitment to encouraging commerce with Africa, protecting sea routes for the benefit of all countries, and promoting trade with South Africa. And this visit is just the beginning of even stronger and ever more amazing relations between our two militaries and our two countries."

"U.S. Africa Command places great importance on maintaining and strengthening partnerships and, therefore, is pleased to work with our Maritime Component and South African partners to bring the USS Carney for a port visit to Cape Town," said Brig. Gen. Steven deMilliano, U.S. Africa Command Deputy Director for Strategy, Engagement, and Programs. "Maritime partnerships and regional cooperation, more broadly, enable nations to share responsibility and collectively respond to challenges. This visit also demonstrates U.S. Africa Command's versatile mix of joint capabilities, their reach, and the added value the U.S. offers against regional threats."

The ship is currently conducting operations in support of U.S. national security interests in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 6th Fleet's area of operations covers approximately half of the Atlantic Ocean, from the Arctic Ocean to the coast of Antarctica, and nearly the entire continent of Africa.

"Critical port cities, like Cape Town, are foundational to global trade," said Vice Admiral Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. "The United States and South Africa are both coastal nations that rely on maritime shipping and free and secure sea lanes for economic prosperity. We must continue to work together to ensure their security."

U.S. 6th Fleet conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.