Vice. Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) travelled to meet the crew of the Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth (F235). During an air defense and joint personnel recovery exercise, two pilots were simulated to be shot down, one over land and the other over water. The pilot on land was rescued by a Polish Search and Rescue (SAR) team, while a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) from the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) recovered the pilot in the water. Five Archer-class patrol boats from the United Kingdom simulated an attack on the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Niels Juel (F363), Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth (F235) and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) during a fast attack craft scenario. U.S. and Romanian Marines conducted a live-fire exercise with M1A1 Abrams tanks at the Ustka Range Complex in Ustka, Poland. The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) along with four ships attached to Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) conducted an air defense exercise again three German aircraft. The Finnish Hmeenmaa-class minelayer FNS Uusimaa (05) defended the German Type 702 Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt A.M. (A1412) in an anti-aircraft firing exercise. The Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth (F235) conducted a replenishment at sea with the Type 702 Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt A.M. (A1412). Mine counter measure ships and explosive ordinance disposal teams found three simulated munitions in the vicinity of Bornholm Island, Denmark. 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.