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BALTOPS 2020
200608-N-BM428-1452 BALTIC SEA (June 8, 2020) Ships from nations participating in exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2020 sail in formation while in the Baltic Sea, June 8, 2020. The ships pictured are (in alphabetical order by home nation): the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Fredericton (FFH 337), the German Navy Bremen-class frigate FGS Luebeck (F214), the German Navy Rhoen-Class replenishment oiler FGS Rhoen (A1443), the Royal Norwegian Navy Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate HNoMS Otto Suerdrup (F312), the U.S. Navy Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), and the U.S. Navy Supply-class fast-combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6). BALTOPS is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region, marking the 49th year of one of the largest exercises in Northern Europe enhancing flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kyle Steckler)
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
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200601-N-DO281-1001
The 49th Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise, the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region, takes place in the Baltic Sea from June 7-16. Air and maritime assets from NATO allies and partner nations are involved in the live training events.
Training focus areas include air defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, and mine countermeasures operations.
The exercise 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 2020 involves participation from 19 nations. The 17 NATO and 2 partner nations will provide 29 maritime units, 29 aircraft, and 3,000 personnel.
The participating nations are: Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the U.K., and the U.S.
To ensure the safety and health of participating military personnel, BALTOPS 2020 will take place exclusively at sea. This precaution allows units to enhance multinational operational cooperation, while ensuring that crews remain healthy, and ready to provide continuous regional security.
Initiated in the 1972, BALTOPS is an annual exercise that is a visible demonstration of NATO’s commitment to promote peace and security in the region by exercising the forces that can rapidly respond in a time of crisis.
Visit Naval Forces Europe for more information.
