VARNA, Bulgaria –
U.S. 6th Fleet and the Bulgarian Navy began the second and third serials of exercise Sea Breeze 2024 in Varna, Bulgaria, Sept. 9, 2024.
Exercise Sea Breeze 2024 is a joint mine countermeasure exercise between the Bulgarian Navy, Royal Navy, Ukrainian Navy and U.S. Navy. The initial serial, hosted by the United Kingdom from June 24 to July 5, focused on the integration and command and control of mine countermeasure vessels (MCMV) and a Ukrainian task group headquarters augmented by international staff officers and mentors.
“Sea Breeze provides an important opportunity to work alongside our Allies and partners, building our collective capability and agility in this dynamic maritime region,” said Vice Admiral Thomas E. Ishee, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet. “The mine countermeasures and explosive ordnance disposal training we’re doing with our Allies and partners during Sea Breeze 2024 directly supports freedom of navigation in the contested Black Sea region.”
The two final components of Sea Breeze 2024 are happening concurrently, with Sea Breeze 24-2 scheduled to run from September 9-11 in Varna, Bulgaria and Sea Breeze 24-3 scheduled from September 9-20 in Varna Harbor, Bulgaria.
Together, these serials make-up the 23rd iteration of Sea Breeze, an annual, multinational maritime exercise, originally co-hosted by Ukraine and U.S. 6th Fleet to enhance interoperability and capabilities among participating forces.
Sea Breeze 24-2 is a Fleet Commanders’ Conference co-hosted by the Bulgarian Navy and U.S. 6th Fleet, focused on discussing the current maritime situation in the Black Sea, collective demining capabilities, and effective ways to enhance maritime security in the region. Sea Breeze 24-3 will feature explosive ordnance disposal, dive operations, and unmanned underwater vehicles exercises.
“Bulgaria is proud to be a leader in securing the Black Sea region and to be hosting the second and third components of Sea Breeze 2024,” said Rear Adm. Kiril Mihaylov, commander, Bulgarian Navy. “We deeply cherish our relationship with the United States and other Bulgarian friends, partners, and Allies. We have a rich shared history, and our friendship and partnership has never been stronger.”
The Sea Breeze 24-2 conference’s discussions will include topics on the current maritime mine threat, collective demining capabilities, and effective means of enhancing Black Sea regional maritime security. Countries and organizations scheduled to participate in Sea Breeze 24-2 include Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, NATO Allied Maritime Command, Romania, Sweden, Türkiye, Ukraine, U.K., and U.S.
Countries scheduled to participate, observe, or mentor during Sea Breeze 24-3 include Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Japan, Romania, Sweden, Türkiye, Ukraine, U.K., and U.S.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.