U.S. Army soldiers discuss field communications techniques and equipment with sailors aboard USS San Antonio LPD-17 June 12, during Baltic Operations 2015 (BALTOPS). BALTOPS is an annual multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve among allied and partnered forces to defend the Baltic region. (Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam C. Stapleton.)

US Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) amphibious crafts perform maneuvers during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) June 12, 2015. BALTOPS is an annual multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve among allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Timothy M. Ahearn/Released)

Several military exercises are scheduled to begin this month in the United States European Command area of responsibility

Danish Air Force F-16s participating in the Baltic Region Training Event XIV on 17 April 2013

KIEL, Germany – Rear Adm. Ann Phillips, right, commander Expeditionary Strike Group 2, conducts an interview with German television reporters on the bridge wing of the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), June 15, after concluding participation with the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012 exercise on the flagship Normandy. Normandy, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser homeported in Norfolk, Va., recently concluded its participation in the 40th iteration of BALTOPS, a multinational exercise intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training both on land and at sea.

USS NORMANDY, Baltic Sea – Sailors man the rails on the fantail of the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), June 15, as they pull into Kiel, Germany after concluding the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012 exercise. Normandy, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser homeported in Norfolk, Va., concluded its participation in the 40th iteration of BALTOPS, a multinational exercise intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training both on land and at sea.

Maritime forces participating in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012, one of the largest multinational maritime exercises this year in the Baltic Sea, demonstrated a Maritime Prepositioning Force offload for international distinguished visitors and local media, June 14.

BALTIC SEA – The guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy’s (CG 60) visit, board, search and seizure team ride in a rigid hull inflatable boat, June 14, to board the German FGS Werra (A 514) for a scenario boarding exercise in conjunction with 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.

BALTIC SEA – Members of the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy’s (CG 60) visit, board, search and seizure team search the German FGS Werra (A 514), June 14, during a scenario boarding exercise in conjunction with 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.

FGS WERRA, Baltic Sea – Logistics Specialist Seaman Jonathan Shackleford, left, and Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class Matthew Norton prepare to open a hatch aboard the German FGS Werra (A 514), June 14, during a visit, board, search and seizure scenario in conjunction with 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.

PALDISKI HARBOR, Estonia – Marine Lt. Gen. Richard Tryon, deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations (second from left) speaks with His Excellency Toomas Hendrik Ilves, president of the Republic of Estonia (left), during the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012 Maritime Preposition Force demonstration, June 14. This is the 40th iteration of BALTOPS, a maritime exercise intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training at sea.

PALDISKI HARBOR, Estonia – Michael Polt (top left), the U.S. Ambassador to Estonia, and His Excellency Toomas Hendrik Ilves (top right), president of the Republic of Estonia, ride in a Light-armored Reconnaissance Vehicle during the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012 Maritime Prepositioning Force demonstration, June 14. This is the 40th iteration of BALTOPS, a maritime exercise intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic raining at sea.

PALDISKI HARBOR, Estonia - Chief Warrant Officer Tim Gordon(left) observes as Sailors from Naval Beach Group Two, an element of the Maritime Prepositioning Force, demonstrate the capabilities of a causeway ferry, part of the Navy Improved Lighterage System, during the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012 Maritime Prepositioning Force demonstration, June 14. This is the 40th iteration of BALTOPS, a maritime exercise intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training at sea.

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.

Maritime forces participating in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012, the largest multinational maritime exercise this year in the Baltic Sea, demonstrated a land, sea and air amphibious operation for international distinguished visitors here, June 11.

PALANGA, Lithuania – U.S. Marine Col. Gregory Douquet, chief of staff, Marine Forces Europe, (left) and U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Anne Derse (right) plant a ceremonial oak tree during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012, June 11. This is the 40th iteration of BALTOPS, a maritime exercise intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training at sea.

PALANGA, Lithuania – Lithuanian Special Forces combat divers take position on a beach during a Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012 amphibious operation exercise, June 11. This is the 40th iteration of BALTOPS, a maritime exercise intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training at sea.

PALANGA, Lithuania – Lithuanian Special Forces members lie in formation on a beach during a Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012 amphibious operation exercise, June 11. This is the 40th iteration of BALTOPS, a maritime exercise intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training at sea.

PALANGA, Lithuania – Lithuanian Special Forces members lie in formation on a beach during a Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2012 amphibious operation exercise, June 11. This is the 40th iteration of BALTOPS, a maritime exercise intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training at sea.

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, Mediterranean Sea – Swedish Ambassador Veronika Wand-Danielsson, head of the Swedish mission to NATO, and Annika Engblom, a member of Swedish Parliament representing the Karlskrona area, visited USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) on June 9, in support of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise 2010.

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, Baltic Sea — Maritime forces from 12 countries joined each other to participate in the largest multinational naval exercise in the Baltic Sea June 7-19.

ROTA, Spain — Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 departed Rota, Spain, March 23 in support of exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2010.

USS Mount Whitney, Baltic Sea - The 37th annual Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise 2009 concluded June 19 after 14 days of multinational operations in the Baltic Sea.

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, Baltic Sea - Finnish naval forces performed a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training scenario aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise 2009, June 15.

FGS ELBE, Baltic Sea - A German auxiliary repair ship, one of 10 German units, provides support to more than 40 allied ships participating in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise 2009, June 11.

KARLSKRONA, Sweden -Hundreds of sailors from 12 nations participated in a harbor party here June 6 to encourage camaraderie before the initial phase of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) Exercise 2009.

KARLSKRONA, Sweden - The Swedish navy's top admiral hosted officers from 12 countries at a reception before the initial phase of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) Exercise 2009 here June 5.

KARLSKRONA, Sweden - Maritime forces from 12 countries will participate in the largest multinational naval exercise this year in the Baltic Sea, June 8 through the 19th.

BAIE DE SEINE, France - In transit to the annual Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise in the Baltic Sea, USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) made a four-day visit to the waters off the coast of Normandy, May 23-26, to celebrate the historical significance of the battles of Midway and Normandy.