Baltic Sea exercise 'targets' Obregon
This year's 'BALTOPS' was a NATO-sponsored exercise held June 10-14 north of Germany and Poland. Over 50 ships and submarines, along with aircraft from Baltic Sea nations and nations participating in NATO's Partnership for Peace concept participated. Ships and aircraft from Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States took part in the operations.
Obregon, flagship of Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron One, steamed primarily in the southern Baltic between the German coast and Bornholm, Denmark.
During one morning, Obregon was 'targeted' and boarded by two 'search and seizure' teams. First, at 9 a.m. on June 10, a twenty-person Swedish team, which included a security dog, 'fast-roped' onto Obregon's flight deck, simulating taking control of the ship's movements. The team embarked from a German helicopter from a British ship.
Second, about two hours later, a Russian team from their ship RNS Bespokoynyy, 'stormed' Obregon from a Russian Helix helicopter, which landed on Obregon's flight deck.
The following day, a Danish team boarded Obregon from a rigid hull inflatable boat launched by the Danish ship HDMS Niels Juel.
A task force led by the British ship HMS Campbeltown-which included USS Cape St. George, and the Lithuanian ship LNS Zematis-then simulated protecting Obregon, the 'high value unit,' from air and surface attacks. Russian SU-24 and German Luftwaffe Tornado aircraft were backed up by Polish, German and Swedish patrol boats.
"Everyone played their parts very aggressively, and I think I speak for Capt. Wilbur Dahn-Captain of Obregon-when I say that we thoroughly enjoyed participating in the exercise," said Capt. Roger Coldiron, commander of Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron One. "Everything was professionally done and we hope to be back next year."
"Eleven nations met over six months ago to plan this exercise and 14 nations participated," said Adm. James O. Ellis, Jr., commander in chief of U.S. Naval Forces, Europe. "Each one contributed to what I believe was a successful exercise through a spirit of cooperation."
The Partnership for Peace is the basis for cooperative security between NATO and individual partner nations and includes defense planning and budgeting, military exercises, and civil emergency operations. There are currently 26 members.
Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron One carries heavy combat equipment and supplies for the U.S. Marine Corps, and supplies for the U.S. Air Force. The squadron is forward deployed in the Mediterranean. (FROM MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND - EUROPE PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
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