NATO
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
June 8, 2022

BALTOPS 22 Kicks off in the Baltic Sea

Fourteen NATO Allies, two NATO partner nations, over 45 ships, more than 75 aircraft and approximately 7,000 personnel kick off Baltic Operations (BALTOPS 22) from Stockholm on June 5, 2022.

This premier maritime-focused annual exercise in the Baltic Region takes place June 5-17 and provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen the combined response capability….

“In past iterations of BALTOPS we’ve talked about meeting the challenges of tomorrow,” said Vice Adm. Gene Black, commander Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) and U.S. Sixth Fleet. “Those challenges are upon us – in the here and now….”

Participating nations include Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States….

The exercise is led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Sixth Fleet, command and controlled by STRIKFORNATO. Royal British Navy Rear Adm. James Morley, STRIKFORNATO deputy commander, will command the exercise control group.

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Unique to BALTOPS 22 is Sweden’s role in hosting the exercise, coinciding with their Navy’s 500th anniversary.