USS Paul Ignatius Departs Poland After Port Visit

The U.S. and Poland's shared history of military cooperation, collaborative partnerships and continued commitment to security in the region have resulted in a strong and prosperous friendship. The visit to Gdynia followed trilateral operations with the Swedish and Finnish navies in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia, underscoring the U.S. Navy's commitment to collective defense and regional stability.

"Poland is one of our closest Allies, and the crew is proud to bring Paul Ignatius to Gdynia," said Cmdr. William Burke, commanding officer of Paul Ignatius. "Our time operating alongside the Swedish and Finnish navies showed what Allies can do together in the Baltic Sea, and visits like this one build the trust that makes it possible."

While in port, the crew provided shipboard tours to visitors and traveled to Naval Support Facility Redzikowo to visit Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Poland. Sailors also had the opportunity to explore the local community and experience Polish history and culture, including a Morale, Welfare and Recreation-sponsored walking tour of historic Gdansk.

Paul Ignatius embarked Swedish and Finnish ship riders during a port visit to Stockholm ahead of a historic Gulf of Bothnia transit, highlighting the deeply integrated defense relationship between the United States and its NATO Allies. The transit concluded with a port visit in Helsinki and the follow-on visit to Gdynia.

Paul Ignatius is a forward-deployed naval asset assigned to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, U.S. 6th Fleet conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with Allied, interagency and partner forces, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.