A B-1 Lancer bomber laid exercise mines and decoys in the vicinity of Bornholm Island, Denmark, and Ustka, Poland.

The Baltic Naval Squadron (BALTRON), consisting of the Vidar-class minelayer LNS Jotvingis (N42), and four mine counter measure ships worked together to locate and disarm the munitions.

A task unit consisting of 15 ships from seven nations conducted air defense training against 11 aircraft from Poland and the United States.

Marines from Romania, Lithuania and the United States conducted cross-training at Kairiai firing range, Lithuania, which included live-fire training with light machine guns and small arms.

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasure Group 1, made up of six mine counter measure ships from Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom performed maritime towing drills.

BALTOPS is an annual joint, multinational maritime-focused exercise scheduled for June 1-15, 2018. It is designed to improve training value for participants enhance flexibility and interoperability, and demonstrate resolve among allied and partner forces in defending the Baltic Sea region. The exercise will involve maritime, ground, and air forces so as to strengthen combined response capabilities necessary to ensure regional stability.

Participating nations in BALTOPS include Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

A total of 43 maritime units, more than 60 aircraft and a combined amphibious landing force are scheduled to participate in BALTOPS 2018.