This premier maritime-focused annual train within the Baltic Area takes place June 4-16 and supplies a novel coaching alternative to strengthen the mixed response functionality important to preserving the liberty of navigation and safety within the Baltic Sea.
“Recent from the completion of train Formidable Protect 23, and concurrent with Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group operations within the North Atlantic, BALTOPS 23 commences as a tangible indication of dedication to collective protection functionality throughout the NATO Alliance. We proceed to fulfill the safety challenges of at this time, and put together for tomorrow, by interoperability and seamless integration in actual world operations. Rising above these challenges takes teamwork and belief,” mentioned Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee, commander, Naval Putting and Help Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) and U.S. Sixth Fleet. “Additionally, we welcome Finland’s participation in BALTOPS as a NATO Ally for the primary time in 52 years of BALTOPS historical past, which displays our dedication to enhancing safety and stability in Europe.”
Taking part nations embrace Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, the UK, and the US.
Of notice, although Finland has routinely participated in previous iterations, this yr marks the primary time Finland will take part within the train as a member of the NATO Alliance. BALTOPS stays an alliance proving floor, and is significant for honing the vanguard of mixed interoperability with ally in companion nations, in and across the Baltic Sea.
These nations will train a myriad of capabilities, demonstrating the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. Train situations embrace amphibious, gunnery, anti-submarine, air protection, and mine clearance operations, in addition to explosive ordnance disposal, unmanned underwater and floor car workouts, and medical responses.
Whereas the train is led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. Sixth Fleet (NAVEUR-NAVAF/SIXTHFLT), will probably be command-and-controlled by STRIKFORNATO, headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal; after STRIKFORNATO simply accomplished Formidable Protect 23, which concluded on Could 26. STRIKFORNATO’s headquarters will host a big multinational coalition of liaison officers from every collaborating nation, working collectively and bringing distinctive private and nationwide strengths to the train’s management hub.
Rear Adm. James Morley, STRIKFORNATO deputy commander, will command the train management group.
“BALTOPS stays probably the most important annual train within the Baltic Sea and is an amazing alternative for allied and companion nations to coach collectively – constructing belief throughout the air, land, and sea forces whereas enhancing interoperability,” mentioned Morley. “This yr’s BALTOPS is not any exception as we proceed constructing our checklist of firsts together with utilizing U.S. logistics functionality to reload a dummy missile on a Danish frigate on Bornholm Island; integrating unmanned floor autos to conduct personnel restoration & medical transfers; and a extra strong incorporation of Allied chaplaincy into the state of affairs to spiritually take care of or most vital belongings, our individuals. Hundreds of hours have gone into creating an train that not solely builds the tactical abilities of all contributors but in addition serves to guarantee these within the area that NATO stands able to defend.”
This yr’s train options, for the primary time, strong coaching in personnel restoration utilizing unmanned floor autos. One other enhancement to BALTOPS23 is the collaboration of sixteen chaplains representing three totally different religion/life stance traditions from eight collaborating nations. Their focus is to advertise the energy of spirit that allows Sailors and Marines to perform the mission with honor. These additions – together with others underwater and house area, will construct on final yr’s BALTOPS 2022 state of affairs story traces, together with the mixing of the NATO Area Heart for house area situations.
For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF cast strategic relationships with our Allies and Companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of duty. SIXTHFLT is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by the total spectrum of joint and naval operations.
STRIKFORNATO, headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal, is Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s (SACEUR) premier, quickly deployable and versatile, maritime energy projection Headquarters, able to planning and executing full spectrum joint maritime operations.
