BALTOPS 2015 Ships Sail from Gdynia, Poland to Start Warfare Training

a
Naval Forces News - NATO
 
 
 
BALTOPS 2015 Ships Sail from Gdynia, Poland to Start Warfare Training
 
Ships from 17 NATO and partner countries, comprising the BALTOPS 2015 force, sailed from Gdynia to start training in a number of warfare areas, June 8. BALTOPS is an annual multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability in order to strengthen combined response capabilities necessary to ensure regional stability.
     
Ships sail in formation in the first movements of BALTOPS 2015. BALTOPS is an annual multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve among allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Timothy M. Ahearn/Released)
Baltic Sea (June 08, 2015) — Ships sail in formation in the first movements of BALTOPS 2015. BALTOPS is an annual multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve among allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Timothy M. Ahearn/Released)
     
The exercise will feature anti-submarine warfare, air defence, intercepting suspect vessels and amphibious landings. A total of 49 ships, 61 aircraft, one submarine, and a combined amphibious landing force of 700 U.S. Finnish and Swedish troops will participate in the drills. Fourteen NATO Allies are joined this year by NATO partners Finland, Georgia and Sweden. Overall, 5,600 troops will be involved.

"This exercise represents an important opportunity for our forces, as allies and partners, to enhance our ability to work together and strengthen capabilities required to maintain regional security," said Vice Admiral James Foggo III, the Commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. He added: "this exercise will be conducted in a truly joint environment, and I look forward to working with and learning from so many different nations and services".

While BALTOPS is a United States-led exercise, Vice Admiral Foggo and his NATO staff are responsible for executing this year's exercise. Participants include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
     
Ships from 17 NATO and partner countries, comprising the BALTOPS 2015 force, sailed from Gdynia to start training in a number of warfare areas, June 8. BALTOPS is an annual multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability in order to strengthen combined response capabilities necessary to ensure regional stability.Norwegian Air Force F-16 and HNoMS Rauma, Alta class minesweeper
     
The annual BALTOPS exercise is not held in response to any specific threat. The exercise has been held since 1971, and is now in its 43rd year. It is also part of the ALLIED SHIELD series of exercises.

This month, NATO and Allies will conduct a series of training events. The ALLIED SHIELD series includes not only BALTOPS but also Exercise NOBLE JUMP, the first training deployment of Allied high-readiness units under the new Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) framework. SABER STRIKE, a significant land exercise in the Baltic States; and TRIDENT JOUST, a NRF command and control exercise in Romania.

In total, approximately 15,000 troops from 19 different Allies and 3 partner nations will participate in this series of training events taking place across the Alliance. All of these exercises are defensive and are a part of NATO’s assurance measures in response to challenges on NATO’s southern and eastern periphery.