News - Page 33

Spiritual Support Interoperability: Enhancing Spiritual Readiness across NATO
June 13, 2023 — In preparation for the exercise, 14 chaplains representing eight nations met aboard the USS Mount Whitney for the Pre-Sail Chaplain Conference, focused on interoperability concepts, exercise events, logistical coordination, and shared competencies and protocols. During the actual exercise, 19 chaplains from eleven nations on eleven ships supported their own naval personnel, and participated in chaplain interoperability events... MORE

Chaplain Emmanuel Reynaerts, a Secular Humanist Chaplain from the Belgian Navy, gives a lecture aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23). 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 the combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mario Coto)

Exchanging Cultures and Ideas: Cmdr. Philipp Klimmek, German Navy
June 13, 2023 — German Navy Cmdr. Philipp Klimmek is the exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS 23) mine countermeasures (MCM) syndicate lead, responsible to Naval Striking and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO) for planning and executing all MCM evolutions throughout the exercise. The following is an excerpt of a conversation in which he reflects on his 22- year naval career, his experience as part of a U.S.-Germany personnel exchange program and helping to plan BALTOPS. This story has been edited to improve readability and context... MORE

PUTLOS, Germany (June 11, 2023) German Navy Cmdr. Philipp Klimmek poses for a photograph near the NATO Commander Task Group 162.40 command staff area at the Bundeswehr military training area in Putlos, Germany, during exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23). 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. (U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Fink)

U.S.-led NATO explosive ordnance disposal task unit demonstrates interoperability, readiness in exercise BALTOPS 23
June 12, 2023 — Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers and technicians from Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway and the United States, assigned to NATO Task Unit 30, are participating in exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in Germany, Poland, and in the Baltic Sea, from June 5-16... MORE

Multinational Marine Forces conduct Amphibious Operations during BALTOPS 23
June 12, 2023 — U.S. Marines from Golf Company embarked aboard the British Royal Navy’s amphibious assault ship HMS Albion (L14) as part of exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in Tallinn, Estonia, on June 1 to work alongside Royal Marines throughout the two-week exercise... MORE

U.S. Marines from Golf Company embarked aboard the British Royal Navy’s amphibious assault ship HMS Albion (L14) as part of exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in Tallinn, Estonia, on June 1 to work alongside Royal Marines throughout the two-week exercise. Additionally, Marine Regiments from Poland, Lithuania, and Italy conducted Amphibious Operations in Lithuania. 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 the combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea.

USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) arrives in Agadir, Morocco
June 11, 2023 — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) arrived in Agadir, Morocco for a scheduled port visit, June 10, 2023... MORE

230610-N-DE439-1147 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 10, 2023) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) arrives to Agadir, Morocco, June 10, 2023. Arleigh Burke is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Almagissel Schuring)

Forty Years of Service: Capt. Koefoed in BALTOPS 23
June 11, 2023 — Captain Jens Peter Koefoed is operational leader of the protection force in the Danish Homeguard Bornholm and is currently participating in the missile reload exercise portion of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS 23). The following is an excerpt of a conversation in which he reflects on his career and his experience working with NATO ally and partner nations. This story has been edited to improve readability and context... MORE

Capt. Jens Peter Koefoed, Danish Homeguard Bornholm, stands in front of a Danish Flag in Bornholm, Denmark, June 8, 2023.

BALTOPS 23 demonstrates integrated logistics capability as U.S. and Danish Navy conduct inert SM-2 missile load on Bornholm
June 11, 2023 — In a notable first for the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise started in 1972, the Royal Danish Navy hosted the U.S. Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1 from Williamsburg, Virginia, to conduct an on load of an inert SM-2 anti-aircraft missile aboard the Royal Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362), June 10, 2023... MORE

The Royal Danish and U.S. Navy conduct an on load of an inert SM-2 anti-aircraft missile aboard the Royal Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362), June 10, 2023.

U.S. Navy releases name of deceased Ramage Sailor
June 10, 2023 — Chief Gunner’s Mate Caprice L. Pryor, an Illinois native, died after being medically evacuated (MEDEVAC) off the USS Ramage (DDG 61) while underway in the North Sea, June 8... MORE

The guided missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) steams in the Mediterranean Sea following a recoverable torpedo exercise April 10, 2014. The ship was on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jared King/Released)

A Life at Sea: Cmdr. Peter Baars, Royal Netherlands Navy
June 9, 2023 — Royal Netherlands Navy Cmdr. Peter Baars is the mine countermeasures (MCM) lead for NATO Commander Task Group 162.40, which is currently participating in exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS 23)... MORE

PUTLOS, Germany (June 7, 2023) Royal Netherlands Navy Cmdr. Peter Baars poses for a photograph near the NATO Commander Task Group 162.40 command staff area at the Bundeswehr military training area in Putlos, Germany, during exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23). 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. (U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Fink)

NATO MCM demonstrates readiness with real-world benefit in BALTOPS 23
June 8, 2023 — Ships and ashore units from 11 NATO Ally nations commenced the mine countermeasures (MCM) phase of exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in Germany, Poland and in the Baltic Sea, June 5... MORE

230604-N-N0901-3001 BALTIC SEA (June 4, 2023) NATO and Swedish ships steam in formation after departing Tallinn, Estonia, June 4, 2023, to participate in exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23). 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 the combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (Courtesy Photo provided by OR-7 Aaron Zwaal, Royal Netherlands Airforce)