Exercise Baltic Operations 2023 kicks off in the Baltic Sea

From left, the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), and Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F 362) depart Tallinn, Estonia, June 4, 2023, to participate in Baltic Operations 2023. BALTOPS 23 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (Courtesy photo by Sgt. Martti Kallas, Estonian Defence Forces)