The scenario used during SAREX 2012— a multinational exercise held recently in Greenland’s eastern sea – tested military and civilian capabilities for search and rescue missions above the Arctic Circle. Meanwhile, during exercise Northern Eagle, a U.S. Navy destroyer joined Russian and Norwegian vessels in the Barents Seas to prepare for similar rescues, plus anti-piracy operations and joint air defense.
As we wrap up high summer, it's a sensible time to look ahead at the fall and think about the big tasks facing the NATO Alliance and US European Command. The Olympics and the Jubilee fade to memory, and hopefully most folks have managed to break away for a short vacation to recharge. The autumn will be a busy time.
BALTIC SEA – The guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), left, and the Russian amphibious ship RFS Kaliningrad (LSTM 102) conduct anti-piracy training during the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012 exercise. BALTOPS 2012 is one of the largest, multi-national maritime training exercises held in the Baltic region this year and is intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training both on land and at sea.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (June 8, 2011) -- A member of the maritime interdiction operations Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure team attached to USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) climbs down the boarding ladder to conduct a boarding exercise as a part of Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), June 7. A three-week exercise divided into in-port and underway training phases, PE-11 is designed to enhance regional maritime partnerships among the 14 participating countries in their efforts to deter illicit trafficking at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Edward Vasquez/Released)
TENDRA, Ukraine—Service members aboard Ukrainian ship LST Konstantn Olsnanskly (U 042) participated in an anti-piracy raid rehearsal on Tendra island July 15, as part of exercise Sea Breeze 2010.
LONDON — Nineteen crew members from a small Iranian cargo ship, SAAD 1 are now free from their pirate captors after being held for 5 months. Their release followed intervention by the Italian warship ITS Scirocco, one of five NATO warships operating in the region as part of NATO’s counter piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield.
AUGUSTA BAY, Sicily -- Personnel from Commander Task Force (CTF) 67 and three P-3 Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 are taking part in NATO led exercise Noble Manta 2010, Feb. 10-24.
