Exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS), the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region, is taking place in the Baltic Sea from June 1-15.

Air, maritime and ground assets from several NATO ally and partner nations are involved in the live training event that set sail from Klaipeda, Lithuania, and finishes in Kiel, Germany.

Training focus areas include air defense, anti-subsurface warfare, maritime interdiction, mine countermeasures and amphibious operations.

Follow this page for continuing updates about the exercise, which enhances flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations to strengthen combined response capabilities, as well as demonstrate international resolve to ensure stability in, and if necessary defend, the Baltic Sea region.

BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 3

Exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2018 continued with the final day of the pre-sail planning conference with the 22 participating nations making final preparations before moving to the next phase of the operation.

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BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 4

The President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, observed a naval demonstration from the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). Two Polish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft performed a fly-by while Grybauskaitė was aboard.

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BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 5

A B-1 Lancer bomber laid exercise mines and decoys in the vicinity of Bornholm Island, Denmark, and Ustka, Poland.

The Baltic Naval Squadron (BALTRON), consisting of the Vidar-class minelayer LNS Jotvingis (N42), and four mine counter measure ships worked together to locate and disarm the munitions.

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BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 6

Eight members of the international media embarked the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). They received a tour of the ship, watched an air defense exercise and conducted interviews with Vice. Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), and Rear Adm. Guy Robinson, OBE, Royal Navy, deputy commander, STRIKFORNATO.

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BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 7

An MH-60S Sea Hawk from the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), an AW159 Wildcat from the Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth (F235) and two Mk41 Sea Kings from the Type 702 Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt A.M. (A1412) simulated a recuse of four stranded individuals during BALTOPS 2018’s first joint personnel recovery exercise.

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BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 8

Vice. Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) travelled to meet the crew of the Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth (F235).

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BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 9

Thirty maritime units from 12 nations (Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States) maneuvered in close formation for a photo exercise.

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BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 10

Vice. Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), flew in an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter to meet with the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96).

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http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2018/06/11/exercise-baltops-2018-enhancing-interoperability-among-nato-allies-and-partners-in-baltic-region/ Jason Kelly