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 maritime safety and security in the Baltic Sea. BALTOPS 2014 is hosted by the United States European Command and involves NATO and non-NATO countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
In this video from BALTOPS 2014 U.S. Navy Capt. Craig Clapperton, commanding officer USS Mount Whitney, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Richard Snyder, commander of Task Force 162, BALTOPS, Expeditionary Strike Group Two, and Commander James Parkin, Royal Navy, UK, commander office of HMS Montrose discuss the exercise.