The USS Ross (DDG 71) is returning to Malta’s historic Grand Harbor on Saturday, April 23, 2022. The ship visited Malta in August 2004.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Gwendolyn “Wendy” Green welcomed the return of the USS Ross and will facilitate several tours of the vessel, as well as opportunities for the officers and crew to immerse themselves in the cultural and historic heritage of Malta. “After the challenges of the pandemic, we are so glad to once again see the return of U.S. ships to Malta’s Grand Harbor,” she said. “These ships are a visual reminder of our strong partnership in the Mediterranean.”
The USS Ross (DDG 71) is the 21st Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and is one of four Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) destroyers based out of Naval Station Rota, Spain. The ship is named for Captain Donald Kirby Ross, who received the Medal of Honor of Congress for his heroic actions aboard the USS Nevada (BB 36) on December 7, 1941.
Commander Scott Jones is the commanding officer of the USS Ross, assuming command of the ship on July 29, 2021. He attended the University of South Carolina earning a bachelor’s degree and was commissioned through the NROTC program in 2004. He was an instructor for Marquette University’s NROTC program from July 2008 through April 2011, where he earned his master’s degree in Business Administration specializing in Finance.