NATO Exercise BALTOPS 2020 Underway

Lithuanian Navy minesweepers LNS Aukstatis (P14) and LNS Skalvis (M53) conduct small boat operations during BALTOPS 2020, 09 June 9 [Photo courtesy of the Lithuanian Navy]

Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group 1 (SNMCMGM1) is taking part in Exercise BALTOPS 2020 with 19 NATO Allies and Partners in the Baltic Sea.

The exercise focuses on enhancing flexibility and operability among Allies and partner nations. This B-roll footage was taken during the first day of the exercise, focusing on combat enhancement training and force integration training (CET/FIT).

This year’s exercise is the first major European maritime event since the outbreak of COVID-19. To keep everyone safe, the usual amphibious component has been cancelled, as have all port calls and ship-to-ship transfers. Replenishment will be done at sea. BALTOPS runs from 7 to 16 June 2020.

[Footage courtesy of the NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) / SNMCMG1]

This B-roll includes shots of ships and crews from Finland (FNS Purunpää – 41), Germany (FGS Donau – A516), the Netherlands (HNLMS Zierikzee – M862 and HNMLS Urk – M861) and the United Kingdom (HMS Ramsey – M110).

This B-roll includes shots of ships and crews from Finland (FNS Purunpää – 41), Germany (FGS Donau – A516 and FGS Groemitz – M1064), Lithuania (LVNS Skalvis – M53), the Netherlands (HNLMS Zierikzee – M862 and HNMLS Urk – M861) and the United Kingdom (HMS Ramsey – M110).

This footage was filmed on board the Latvian minehunter LVNS Tālivaldis – it includes shots of crew from the ship and other ships out at sea.

Lithuanian Navy LNS *Skalvis* (M53) leaves Klaipeda Harbour towards the BALTOPS 2020 exercise area [courtesy Lithuanian Lt Valdas Venslovas]

Baltic Sea, BALTOPS, Featured, NATO, Navy