CONSTANTA, Romania (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel got a tour Thursday of the U.S. Navy cruiser Vella Gulf, the deadliest U.S. vessel deployed to the Black Sea since the Russian annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula.

Hagel had lunch with sailors and reviewed the ship’s high-tech ballistic missile defense systems.

Recommended Stories

Democrats are likely to come up short in Florida. They’re still giving Republicans a scare

El Sayed and Stevens feud explodes days before Michigan Senate showdown

Polish president forces his way into high court after dramatic return as supporters clash with police