U.S. Air Force supports Exercise BALTOPS 2017

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  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa
U.S. Air Force supports Exercise BALTOPS 2017

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE-The 45th edition of Exercise BALTIC OPERATIONS (BALTOPS) will take place in the Baltic Sea from 1 to 16 June. Air, maritime, and ground assets from several NATO Allies and Partner Nations will be involved in the live training event that sets sail from Szczecin, Poland and finishes in Kiel, Germany.

BALTOPS is an annual recurring multinational, maritime-focused exercise designed to provide high end training for the participants. This year 14 countries (Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the United Kingdom, the United States and NATO’s Enhanced Opportunities Partners: Finland and Sweden) will participate.

The U.S. Air Force is supporting the exercise with approximately 900 Airmen, eight F-16s from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, four KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, U.S. and U.S. Air Force Reserve 459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andres, Maryland, one Air Force Reserve E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) from the 513th Aerial Control Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma and Airmen from the 1st Combat Communication Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany will be supporting this multinational exercise.

The exercise, is designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, to strengthen combined response capabilities, as well as demonstrate resolve among Allied and Partner Nations’ forces to ensure stability in, and if necessary defend, the Baltic Sea region.

BALTOPS, which began in 1972, continues to be an excellent opportunity for NATO and regional partners to strengthen interoperability through a series of combined tactical maneuvers and scenarios.

For more information, contact U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Public Affairs at +49 06371-476558 or e-mail usafepao.pao@us.af.mil.