Major NATO Maritime Drills Commence:BALTOPS 22

On 5 June 2022,NATO exercise BALTOPS 22 begins in the Baltic Sea Region.The drills will run through 17 June.According to U.S. Naval Forces Europe,BALTOPS 22 will strengthen the combined response capability that is crtitical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the region.Those participating include:Belgium,Bulgaria,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France,Germany,Latvia,Lithuania,the Netherlands,Norway,Poland,Sweden,Turkey,the UK and the US.A myriad of capabilities will demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritme forces,to include:amphibious operations;gunnery;anti-submarine and air defence drills;mine clearance operations;explosive ordnance disposal;unmanned underwater vehicles;and medical response.Sweden is the host nation.* The scenario builds on BALTOPS 21 story lines and continues the incorporation of the space domain in coordination with the NATO Space Centre.The team of international forces will be tasked with responding rapidly in a time of crisis.Over 45 ships;75 aircraft;and some 7,000 service members will execute the manoeuvres.US Navy warships taking part include:the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3),dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44),guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20).* Strategically,Finland and Sweden's penchant for employing small missile-armed surface combatants and shore-based aircraft with Sweden's stealthy submarines in the context of Nordic geography creates significant Anti-Access/Area Denial capabilties.This could be used to block Russian transit of the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean.The exercise will take place in the Central and Southern Baltic Sea and include drills in the Stockholm archipelago near Uto;on land and sea outside Visby and Faro;on Ravlunda Exercise Field;on Osterlen and in Hano Bay.Sweden will contribute a submarine;two Visby corvettes;two minesweepers;four fighter aircraft;two helicopters and more than 500 troops.There will also be drills on riparian land ranges in Germany,Poland,Sweden and the Baltic States.Warfighting simulation will include maritime interdiction and personnel recovery,strengthening the cohesion and skillsets of NATO Allies and Partners.Personnel recovery is the recovery and reintegration of isolated military personnel,those who must survive,evade,resist or escape because they became separated from their units during combat operations.The Warrior's Ethos states:I will never leave a fallen comrade.An adversary may influence military strategy and national will by exploiting the intelligence and propaganda value of isolated personnel,according to the United States Army Combined Arms Centers.*

Bomber Task Force Arrives in Europe as Destroyer Enters Black Sea

On the night of 10 October 2019,at least four US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress heavy bombers departed Barksdale AFB, Louisiana on a flight to RAF Fairfield, England.The 2nd Bomb Wing aircraft are set to conduct integration and interoperability training with European Allies and Partners,USAF Global Strike Command said.The BTF will exercise the ability of USAF Global Strike Command to conduct bomber operations from a Forward Operating Base in support of US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and US European Command (EUCOM) mission objectives.*
The training by Airmen in a joint environment will greatly enhance global stability and security while familiarising them with operations in a different region,GSC added. Details of future operations will not be disclosed in the interest of operational security,GSC stated.*
Contributing to our ready and​ postured forces, the deployment will build enduring and strategic relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges, according to USAFE.*
Meanwhile, the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG-78) has entered the Black Sea and made a port call at Odessa, Ukraine.Five Ukrainian officers will observe sea-and-anchor operations on the Porter.US 6th Fleet said:
These operations enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness and naval capability with our NATO Allies and Black Sea Partners.*
The ongoing series of robust operations began when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, Ukraine and backed subversion in Eastern Ukraine in 2014.*
The Porter transited the Bosphorus Strait on 12 October, Turkish ship spotters reported.*
The naval operations also demonstrate the US commitment to freedom of navigation in that Russia considers the Black Sea its sphere of interest.Earlier in the year, Russian forces fired on and seized two Ukrainian Navy vessels and imprisoned 24 Ukrainian Sailors for transiting the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea Region.The Sailors were recently released in a prisoner exchange with Russia.*