NATO conducts massive drills in the Baltic Sea, in support of Finland and Sweden

From June 5 to June 17, the meeting exercise NATO’s major military force, Baltic Operations 22, was held in Sweden. More than 7,000 service members from 14 alliance member states, 75 aircraft and 45 warships will join the group, along with representatives from Finland and Sweden.

Live training events include air defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interception, mine countermeasures, amphibious operations, medical response and search and rescue.

On June 4, General Mark Milley – Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff – was present on the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge anchored in Stockholm (Sweden) to show the US determination to support Sweden. , Finland joined NATO, a day after a stopover in Finland.

General Milley said from the USS Kearsarge at a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on June 4: “It is very important for us to show solidarity with Finland and Sweden in this exercise. , the United States as well as other members of NATO”.

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley (left) aboard the USS Kearsarge on June 4. Photo: The Washington Post

More than 40 NATO warships will arrive and anchor at the port in Stockholm (Sweden) to prepare for exercises in the Baltic Sea. Photo: Anadolu Agency

During a press conference with the Swedish leadership on June 4, before NATO and Finland and Sweden exercises in the Baltic Sea, Milley affirmed that this is a sea of ​​strategic importance. The accession of the two Nordic countries will give NATO control of most of the Baltic coast.

The new source of motivation was easy to see when the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge with modern equipment of the US Navy carrying 2,000 marines and dozens of aircraft and helicopters, headed to Stockholm. General Milley said the US has never moved such a large warship into this city of nearly 1 million people.

The USS Kearsage is moored at Fortojning in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo: Anadolu Agency

USS Kearsarge arrives in Stockholm on June 2. Photo: Anadolu Agency

This is one of the largest international naval exercises in the Baltic Sea, involving more than 7,000 servicemen, 75 aircraft and 45 warships. Photo: Anadolu Agency

Milley told reporters aboard the USS Kearsarge that US President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had asked the Pentagon to develop new options to “moderately increase” US military engagement. American team in Sweden as appropriate.

Meanwhile, pre-scheduled activities will continue. “We’re looking at things we can do on the ground with the Marines or the Army, things we can do with Special Forces, things we can do with,” Milley said. aviation or maritime forces”.

Assessing the Swedish army, Mr. Milley commented that the Swedish army is not large but has an excellent navy, modern equipment and well-trained ground forces.