The "War Eagles" of VP-16 took two P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance (MPRA) aircraft to Aalborg Air base in Denmark to provide exercise maritime support.

Large exercises such as BALTOPS are opportunities to integrate the P-8A's capabilities with those of allies and partners as they train together in the maritime environment. The aircraft is vital to the Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) elements of the exercise.


QUICK FACTS:
- BALTOPS 17 is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region and one of the largest exercises in Northern Europe.

- The exercise, which involves 4,000 shipboard personnel, 50 ships and submarines and more than 50 aircraft, is designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, to strengthen combined response capabilities, as well as demonstrate resolve among allied and partner nations forces to ensure stability in, and if necessary defend, the Baltic Sea region.

- This marks the first time that VP-16 has operated out of Aalborg, Denmark with P-8As.
- VP-16 is homeported out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.
- VP-16 is deployed to Commander, Task Force 67 out of Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily.
- VP-16 is in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operation in support of U.S National security interests in Europe and Africa.


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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.