Vice. Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), flew in an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter to meet with the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96). Mine-countermeasure ships and explosive ordinance disposal teams located simulated munitions in the vicinity of Ustka, Poland; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Bornholm Island, Denmark. The six ships assigned to commander, Standing NATO Mine Countermeasure Group (SNMCMG) 1, conducted anti-surface drills in a fast attack craft/ fast inshore attack craft exercise. Onboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the STRIKFORNATO legal team provided exercise guidance using the rules of engagement. A pilot was simulated to be shot down in a joint personnel recovery exercise. He was recovered by Romanian Marines embarked on the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) using a rigid-hulled inflatable boat. The lvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Alvaro De Bazan (F101) and the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Niels Juel (F363) treated and transported 10 patients during a mass casualty drill. Maritime interdiction operations were conducted by the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Niels Juel (F363) and the Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth (F235). The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) conducted a replenishment at sea with the Type 702 Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt A.M. (A1412). 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.