BALTOPS 2019 Planning Conference Commences in Poland
06 December 2018
GDYNIA, Poland -- Rear Adm. John B. Mustin, deputy commander, U.S. 2
nd Fleet, addressed NATO global maritime partners at the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2019 Initial Planning Conference (IPC) conducted at the Naval Academy Library Building, Dec. 4-6.
The three-day information exchange was attended by 14 participating nations and tactical commands, focused on determining structure and scenario outlines for the upcoming BALTOPS exercise, which is scheduled to be conducted in the Baltic Sea region, June 8-20, 2019.
“We owe it to our partnership, and to the world, to make a statement,” said Mustin. “BALTOPS allows us to promote peace and security through cooperation, collaboration, interoperability and an unambiguous display of strength in the Baltic region.”
Mustin elaborated on the exercise’s focus to demonstrate the interoperability of NATO allies and partners and to assure nations of NATO’s commitment to the security and stability of the Baltic Sea region.
“BALTOPS 2019 is our opportunity, collectively, to strengthen our partnerships, enhance regional capabilities and to demonstrate how we will establish and maintain maritime superiority,” stated Mustin. “Our ability to work together, seamlessly, is the bedrock of our proficiency in responding to threats and ensuring support to global operations.”
The exercise is conducted annually in the spirit of “Partnership for Peace,” a major NATO initiative. Scheduled by U.S. Naval Forces Europe, it will be the first major evolution planned and executed by the re-established U.S. 2
nd Fleet at a time of need for increased attention in the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean.
“Stated simply by [Chief of Naval Operations] Admiral John Richardson, 2nd Fleet is a “dynamic response to a dynamic security environment,” said Mustin. “We have seen increased activity in the North Atlantic and Arctic, we’ve seen rivals and adversaries challenge us on all fronts and domains, and we have seen an undoubted increase in gray-zone aggression.”
The conference introduced primary areas of focus to include anti-air warfare, air-maritime integration, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures and amphibious and submarine operations against a near peer adversary using asymmetric tactics.
Mustin stated in closing that the opportunity exists to build BALTOPS 2019 from the ground up. To make it fit for its purpose, and fit for its time.