North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
June 5, 2014
NATO to Participate in 42nd Annual Exercise BALTOPS 2014
Forces from 13 countries, including NATO nations, will participate in Exercise Baltic Operations BALTOPS 2014, this year’s largest multinational maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea from 6-21 June.
In its 42nd year, Exercise BALTOPS 2014 will aim to improve maritime security in the Baltic Sea through increased interoperability and cooperation among regional allies. BALTOPS is a multinational naval exercise led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe/U.S. SIXTH FLEET, based in Naples, Italy.
Forces including Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) will participate in numerous at-sea activities to test their warfighting abilities in multiple skill areas.
…Emphasis will be on the importance of maritime forces in maintaining regional stability.
Training scenarios will include air, surface, subsurface and mine warfare, with participants conducting advance information sharing, crucial to maintaining regional stability and maritime security in the region. BALTOPS will also enhance the capability of participants to conduct multinational peacekeeping missions. Specific training objectives will vary throughout multiple training scenarios scheduled to take place.
During this annual exercise, sailors will work side-by-side with personnel from different partner nations on land and at sea, and will become familiar with the military operating procedures and practices of participating nations.
Nations scheduled to participate in BALTOPS 2014 include Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office
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