On July 01, the multinational exercises Sea Breeze 2019 began in the Black Sea. This exercise is led by Ukraine and offers training opportunities designed to enhance the readiness and improve collaboration and interoperability between the Ukrainian Navy and its allies.
Electronics Technician 3rd Class Zach VanderMolen, left, from North Pole, Alaska, and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Jamil Brassier, from Marseille, France, man a .50-caliber machine gun mount aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) during a straits transit en route to the Black Sea, June 29, 2019 (Picture Source: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Fred Gray IV)
Nations scheduled to participate in Sea Breeze 2019 include Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States.
The U.S. Navy is an important ally for Ukraine. As part of these exercises, the United States decided to send the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64), along with U.S. assets. This is the fifth U.S. ship to visit the Black Sea since the beginning of 2019, reminding Russia the commitment of the U.S. to this region and its partners.
Drilling the river component on the Danube River is a novelty of the exercise this year, the State Border Service said. Only the Maritime Defense Forces of the State Border Service will be involved in this training episode.
As for the maritime component, participants of the drills will carry out live gunfire drills, disembarkations of inspecting teams, and will improve the interaction between special units. Members of the Dozor state border service unit who have the relevant specialization will take part in special diving training for the first time.
Though, this year, the plan of the Sea Breeze 2019 Ukrainian-U.S. drills has been changed due to Russia's actions in the Black Sea, according to the official website of the Ukrainian State Border Service.
"The attempts of the northern neighbour to spoil our game by the sudden closure of the navigational area will not frighten the multinational headquarters. We take that as an additional challenge and are ready to give an adequate response. Now, the manoeuvres are rescheduled in terms of their site and will take place according to the scenario of the drill's headquarters," Ukrainian Navy Commander Ihor Voronchenko said at an opening ceremony of the drills on Monday., July 01.
