Operation Open Spirit

09/08/2017
09/08/2017: Operation Open Spirit is an annual mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operation in the Baltic Sea. This year it takes place in Latvia and involves participants from 10 countries including dive teams from the host nation as well as Canada, Estonia, Norway and the United Kingdom. The aim…

The Baltic Sea and World War II Munitions: Focusing on a Cleanup

11/08/2016
11/08/2016: An international team of scientists working on the multi-year research project ‘Towards the Monitoring of Dumped Munitions Threat’ (MODUM), supported by NATO’s Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Program have been mapping the ocean floor, locating and monitoring munitions dump sites in the Baltic Sea. The variety of chemical weapons…

Polish Minesweepers Train for Action

07/23/2016
07/23/2016: Polish minesweepers practice looking for mines several times a year to maintain the skills of their crew. Interviews with Polish Navy personnel both on land and at sea. Footage includes shots of Polish Navy minesweeping vessels at work in the Baltic Sea, dredging for mines and dropping sonar equipment into…

B-52s in Baltops 2016

06/06/2016
06/06/2016: Three B-52s from Minot Air Force Base land at RAF Fairford to take part in BALTOPS 2016. 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs:6/2/16 Fifteen NATO and two partner nations will participate in the 44th iteration of the multinational maritime exercise BALTOPS 2016 in the Baltic region.  Events are scheduled to take…

BALTOPS Exercise and Polish Defense

06/23/2015
06/23/2015: A major maritime exercise involving five thousand six hundred air, maritime and ground forces has moved from Sweden to Poland. This multinational maritime exercise is in its 43rd iteration. BALTOPS 2015 has taken place across Poland, Sweden, German and throughout the Baltic Sea. The exercise is designed to enhance…

BALTOPS 2015: Working Coalition Force Insertion

06/15/2015
06/15/2015: by Sgt. Tatum Vayavananda BALTIC SEA – Marines from four NATO nations come together during BALTOPS from June 7-17. U.K. Royal Marine Commandos, Finnish Coastal Jaegers, Swedish and U.S. Marines integrate to practice expeditionary, ship-to-shore assaults to enhance their capability to work together as a combined amphibious force. “The U.K. [Commandos]…

BALTOPS 2014: An Exercise in a New Threat Environment

06/23/2014
06/23/2014: The Russian seizure of Crimea and continuing direct threats to Ukraine have enhanced concerns for the defense of the Baltic states. Credit: Natochannel :6/16/14 Since 1971, BALTOPS has provided an annual multinational maritime exercise aims to improve interoperability and strengthen relationships between participating nations. The objective is to promote…