RIGA, June 6 (RIA Novosti) - The 42nd annual joint military exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) kicked off in the Baltic Sea on Friday, Latvian Ministry of Defense reports.
This year’s BALTOPS will include US sailors, in addition to forces from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Germany, France, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Georgia.
The US European Command has reported US Air Force will provide fighter aircraft for maritime interdiction, air-refueling support and other air combat training missions.
Latvia will send its minesweeper LVNS Viesturs.
The maneuvers will be held until June 21 in the Danish and Swedish waters.
BALTOPS, this year’s largest international military exercise in the Baltic, aims to improve maritime security in the region and increase interoperability among the Baltic states and their allies.
During this annual exercise, troops from 13 nations will become familiar with the practices and military operating procedures of the fellow sailors.
