USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) exits the Black Sea and transits through the Bosphorus Strait Sept. 13, 2015. Donald Cook, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interest in Europe.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Sean Spratt/Released)
It was amazing to realize how quickly the USA's role in NATO was mobilized when Crimea became an issue. It was very quick and the USA's part was at the ready. There COULD have been many more problems if NATO hadn't muscled their presence in the region.
It wasn't just the Sixth Fleet. The military units were dispersed through the post-Soviet states that belong to NATO.
After the events in Ukraine, NATO asked the newly elected government if it wanted to join NATO. At that time Ukraine declined. The new leadership wanted to remain neutral. The new government believed it could build trading relationships with Europe and Russia.
The rebels along the Russian - Ukraine border made peace impossible. So, then the four countries that originally signed the treaty had to meet to decide the best way forward. Eventually, Minske II occurred and it is the supreme document at this time. All parties are seeking to adhere to it.
Ukraine has now made application to NATO. So, does the Sixth Fleet and the USA unites deployed within NATO need to be strengthened? It doesn't seem as so. I doubt seriously the Joints Chiefs would compromise NATO.
No one can say anything about France. France has been instrumental in the instability in Libya and Ukraine along with the USA. The USA is very lucky. We have good friends and they are loyal. So to think the USA would ever short change NATO is strange.
I do believe the reductions in the size of the USA's military budget is necessary. The USA had too much muscle and that showed under Bush. We are suppose to have a defense force, not an offense force. And certainly not trillions of dollars spending on such unrealistic projects as the F-35.
If the F-35 was eliminated and the contracts cancelled because they are so very overdue, that would solve the budget problems of the USA military all by itself.
So, considering the failure of the Iraq War and the outcomes in Afghanistan; realizing the USA was instrumental in destabilizing the Arab nations of the Middle East; what is the reason Carly Fiorina wants to increase the size of the USA military? What does she have in mind?
Quick Facts: (click here)
Donald Cook entered the Black Sea Aug. 28, 2015 in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to the collective security of its NATO allies as part of Atlantic Resolve.
USS Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, Va., is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. The ship deployed from Naval Station Rota XX, 2015.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
