Navy's New Atlantic Fleet Begins Full Operations with Critical NATO Exercise

Less than a year after it was re-established,having been drydocked in 2011 by the Obama administration,the US Navy's Atlantic Fleet (Commander 2nd Fleet,or C2F) achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on 29 May 2019.That means it can now lead fleet-wide operations,developing and employing forces at the highest level of warfare,as well as interoperating with allies and partners in the North Atlantic and Arctic.The C2F is based in Norfolk,Virginia.It is under the command of VADM Andrew "Woody" Lewis,a US Naval Academy graduate and distinguished naval aviator.The new fleet is a response to Russia's aggressive activity and China's increasing influence in the North Atlantic and Arctic.Both countries have been steadily developing and deploying advanced weapons systems and maritime assets that challenge the defences of North America and Europe alike. *
C2F's major European debut mission will be leading the annual Exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) in the Baltic Sea,leveraging increased lethality,interoperability and integrated warfighting capability with regional allies and partners.VADM Lewis described BALTOPS as being:
an unambiguous display of strength in the Baltic Region.As an Alliance,increasing our capabilities across all domains,as well as building a command-wide network,will give us the ability to deter aggression and project stability.*
C2F will ensure access and defend the US,allied and partner interests.In partnership with the Naval War College and the warfare development centres,C2F will be a hub in the Navy's concept development and implementation,ensuring that when the Navy operates around the world,it is prepared to compete,fight and win in this era of great power competition,the Navy said.The motto of C2F is "Ready to Fight."*
BALTOPS 2019 runs from 9-21 June.With air,maritime and ground assets from 18 nations,BALTOPS participants will exercise air defence;maritime interdiction;anti-subsurface warfare;mine countermeasures;and amphibious operations,in order to strengthen joint leadership and teams across all layers of the battlespace.BALTOPS will demonstrate resolve in defending the Baltic Sea Region by executing a series of combined tactical manoeuvres  and scenarios.For example,some of the drills are to be staged off the heavily militarised Russian enclave of Kaliningrad,which is nestled between Poland and Lithuania.BALTOPS must show that establishing and maintaining maritime superiority is uppermost in the minds of the NATO and partner forces charged with securing the Baltics..