Brussels, 8 June 2022 (TDI): Fourteen NATO allies, two NATO partner nations, over 45 ships, more than 75 aircraft, and over 7,000 personnel will began Baltic Operations (BALTOPS 22) from Stockholm, on June 5, 2022.
#BALTOPS22 has begun
🔹 Over 45 ships
🔹 More than 75 aircraft
🔹 Around 7,000 personnel
🔹 16 #NATO & partner nations pic.twitter.com/mIBnzIaU5a— NATO (@NATO) June 7, 2022
This flagship maritime-focused annual exercise in the Baltic Region takes place from June 5-17. Also, it offers a one-of-a-kind training opportunity to maintain freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea.
Moreover, this is the 51st exercise in the series, which began in 1972. Vice Admiral Gene Black, Commander Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) and US Sixth Fleet said, “In past iterations of BALTOPS we’ve talked about meeting the challenges of tomorrow. Those challenges are upon us – in the here and now.”
“BALTOPS 22 highlights our past investments and shows our collective partnership and capabilities as we recognize the importance of ‘freedom of the seas’ and the vital role the Baltic plays in European prosperity,” he added.
The participating nations include Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
These countries will demonstrate a wide range of capabilities, displaying the inherent adaptability of marine forces.
Excercise Details
Amphibious operations, gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, mine-clearing operations, explosive ordnance disposal, unmanned underwater vehicles, and medical response are examples of exercise scenarios.
The exercise is led by the US Naval Forces Europe and the US Sixth Fleet. It is commanded and controlled by STRIKFORNATO.
Royal British Navy Rear Admiral James Morley, STRIKFORNATO Deputy Commander, will command the exercise control group.
Rear Admiral James Morley said, “BALTOPS is a fabulous opportunity for allied and partner nations to train together at sea, in the air and on the ground – improving interoperability and experience working together.”
“It also serves to assure those in the region that NATO is ready to defend itself,” he added. Additionally, it also includes more realistic medical response scenarios, specifically during submarine personnel recovery training.
The addition of chaplaincy response, with five participating nation chaplains, is new to this year’s iteration.
Furthermore, enhanced COVID preventive procedures let participants mingle more than in past years, while still ensuring crews remain fit and ready to offer ongoing regional security.
