ANKARA (Turkiye Khabar) – Turkey’s Ambassador to the United States, Sedat Önal, visited the Turkish warship TCG Oruç Reis at the Naval Station Norfolk in the U.S. state of Virginia, where the vessel is participating in activities related to the 250th anniversary celebrations of the Declaration of Independence of the United States.
The Turkish frigate is present in Norfolk from June 14 to June 21 and is taking part in the multinational naval exercise “Fleet Exercise,” which is linked to the anniversary celebrations.
During the visit, the Turkish ambassador met senior naval officials from Türkiye and NATO, including Rear Admiral Baybars Küçükatay, Commander of the Turkish Surface Naval Group; Captain Kemal Varli, commanding officer of the ship; and Commodore Marielle Ingham, Commander of NATO Maritime Group One.
Sedat Önal also met Turkish naval personnel on board the ship and received a briefing on the frigate’s operational capabilities and ongoing activities.
According to the U.S. Navy, 31 warships and various air assets from different countries are participating in the exercise, which aims to improve joint combat strategies, operational coordination, and modern maritime capabilities.