On June 9 two Lublin-class assault ships "Poznan" and "Krakov" berthed in Klaipėda Seaport. The ships will be preparing for the amphibian landing operation planned during the multinational Exercise BALTOPS 2012 which will take place for the first time on Lithuania's coast on June 11 (Nemirseta, Klaipėdos Distr.).
One of the main objectives of BALOPS 2012 is enhancing security in the Baltic Region through completion of a spectrum of military operations. According to Lt (N) Pavel Nowakowski, Deputy Commander of the ship "Poznan" of the Polish Navy, the aim of the maritime phase of the Exercise is to practice collective completion of landing operations and joint operations in one unit with NATO and other countries' forces.
Deputy Commander of the Polish warship told that planning and preparation phases proceeded without any interruption, all the actions vital for the operation were concerted between the Lithuanian and US units, a proper location was selected for the amphibious landing operation. "Our crew is used to conduct amphibious operations quite routinely, over the last two month on the sea we conducted these operations each time we set sailed. Only adverse weather conditions can prevent us from completing an operation," said Lt (N) P. Novakowski.
It is true to say that Poland's Lublin-class assault ships are the most impressive naval participants of the BALTPOPS 2012 landing operation. The vessels are designated to carry personnel and military equipment: the bottom of the hull is purpose-made to come as close to the port of shore as possible. During the Exercise these ships will transport two tracked amphibious vehicles each loaded with US and Lithuanian troops ready to conduct landing on the seacoast of Lithuania.
Maritime element of BALTOPS 2012 also includes a US warship USS Normandy which will conduct command and control function and 5 ships of the Lithuanian mine countermeasures squadron BALTRON.
Mine hunter and sweeper M54 "Kuršis" along with other ships of BALTOPS 2012 mine clearance maritime component will act according to the Exercise scenario - reconnoitre seafloor of the approaches to the Lithuanian shore and ensure that lines clear of naval mines will be ready for the amphibious landing operation. The ship is special because its entire hull is made of glass fiber and all the machinery - from non-magnetic metal to escape activation of naval mines with magnetic sensors. Patrol ship P11 "Žemaitis" in BALTOPS 2012 will ensure protection of BALTOPS 2012 maritime mine clearance component from surface and air targets.
BALTOPS 2012 which will conclude on June 16 involves 12 countries - USA, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, France, Denmark, Poland, the Netherlands, Georgia, Russia, and Sweden. The Exercise is held in the territorial waters of Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia in the Baltic Sea.
Multinational cooperation in case of a crisis in the region is enhanced and security in the Baltic Sea region fostered in BALTOPS 2012. During the Exercise military forces will conduct joint maritime operations from manoeuvring and patrolling to joint operations with other forces - air and land.
USA first organised the naval exercise BALTOPS in 1972. Since 1993 the series has been held under the Partnership for Peace program. Over four decades BALTOPS grew both in number of participating forces and in magnitude becoming one of the largest training events in the Baltic Region. Lithuania has been sending naval assets to take part in BALTOPS since 1994 and this year will host the Exercise on its soil for the first time.
For more information about BALTOPS 2012 contact Capt Artūras Milkintis, cell phone 00370 682 53358, email arturas.milkintis@mil.lt .
Photos by Lina Ambroževičiūtė and courtesy of the Polish Navy.
