The US Navy destroyer USS Oscar Austin has docked in Cyprus’s Larnaca port, marking its second visit to the island in a month as part of ongoing operations in the region.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer’s arrival reinforces the US naval presence in the Mediterranean, the US Embassy in Cyprus said on Tuesday.
US Ambassador Julie Davis welcomed the vessel on social media platform X, highlighting its capabilities in ballistic missile defence, anti-submarine warfare, and surface naval operations.
Davis said the USS Oscar Austin “continues its mission to enhance security in the Mediterranean and beyond”.
The warship is one of two additional Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers joining the Forward Deployed Naval Force-Europe (FDNF-E), according to the US Fleet Forces Command.
Its presence enhances operational capabilities within the US European Command (EUCOM) and US Africa Command (AFRICOM) areas of responsibility.
The vessel previously docked at Limassol port on January 15 for crew rest and recuperation.
Commissioned in August 2000 in Norfolk, Virginia, the destroyer is named after US Marine Private First Class Oscar P. Austin and can carry two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for anti-submarine operations and other military missions.
(information from CNA)
