BALTOPS 2019 exercise begins in Germany

Maritime forces from 18 nations commenced the in-portoperations for the 47th annual multinational exercise Baltic Operations(BALTOPS) in the Baltic Sea, June 9-21. Nations participating in BALTOPS 2019include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania,the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, theUnited Kingdom and the United States.

BALTOPS is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise inthe Baltic region and one of the largest exercises in northern Europe,enhancing flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations. Itis an opportunity to promote partnerships, presence, and professionalismthrough an unambiguous display of strength in the Baltic region.

Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander of the U.S. 2nd Fleet,will lead the exercise on behalf of Naval Forces Europe.

“No one nation can face today's challenges alone, we aremuch stronger together,” Lewis said. “Our partner and NATO alliances mustcontinue to strengthen our deterrence and defense efforts and adapt throughimproving readiness and responsiveness.”

The focus of the exercise is for ground, maritime and airforces to work together in exercising air defense, maritime interdiction,anti-subsurface warfare, mine countermeasures and amphibious operations, tostrengthen the development of joint teams across all layers of the battlespace.

The exercise will include the participation of 50 surfaceships, 36 aircraft, two submarines and 8,600 personnel in a joint operationalenvironment.

“I think BALTOPS represents the habit we have made inoperating in a coalition environment and in a multinational environment,” saidU.K. Royal Navy Rear Adm. Andrew Burns OBE. “One of the advantages,particularly in the NATO framework, as we operate together more and more, westandardize our procedures so we now have a generation of military folk who areused to operating together with standard procedures.”

Source: US Navy