US Black Sea naval drills start near Crimea

WASHINGTON - The US Navy destroyer USS Donald Cook, the second American military ship to be deployed in the Black Sea amid the Ukraine crisis, is scheduled to arrive in the designated waters Thursday, said a Pentagon spokesman Wednesday.

"The Donald Cook's mission is to reassure NATO allies and Black Sea partners of America's commitment to strengthen and improve interoperability while working towards mutual goals in the region, " Steve Warren, the spokesman, told reporters.

The destroyer will also take part in exercises and operations to improve interoperability, readiness and enhance relationships, according to Warren.

The vessel left Norfolk, Virginia, on Jan 31 as the first of US Navy's four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to be stationed in Rota, Spain.

Prior to the arrival of USS Donald Cook, the USS Truxtun, another guided-missile destroyer, had carried out rounds of drills in the Black Sea.