by Joycelyn Biggs, Chief of Navy Chaplains Public Affairs Specialist | 27 July 2022 Cmdr. Tom Cook, a Southern Baptist U.S. Navy chaplain who serves as the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group chaplain, took part in the annual exercise which focuses on cooperation and interoperability at sea among NATO allies. The 13-day exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, included 47 ships from 16 countries and, for the first time, included a chaplain-led portion called the Religious and Spiritual Support Interoperability Initiative (RSSII) – a movement of 23 chaplains from eight different nations, and of different faith groups, across allied ships. More Details STOCKHOLM (June 3, 2022) Multinational service members attend the Religious and Spiritual Support Interoperability Initiative Pre-Sail Conference aboard the Blue Ridge-class command-and-control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in preparation for exercise BAPTOPS 22. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Yeoman 1st Class Cyrena Washington) 220603-N-EI510-0019 STOCKHOLM (June 3, 2022) Multinational service members attend the Religious and Spiritual Support Interoperability Initiative Pre-Sail Conference aboard the Blue Ridge-class command-and-control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in preparation for exercise BAPTOPS 22. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Yeoman 1st Class Cyrena Washington) SHARE IMAGE: Download Image Image Details Photo By: MC1 Jacob Sippel VIRIN: 220603-N-EI510-0019 Cook provided logistical and administrative support for the movement of chaplains within his strike group from one ship to another, mostly by helicopter or “Holy Helo.” His planned movement of a French Navy priest validated the importance the training. Cook said efforts to move the same priest encountered several difficulties in a previous exercise. Utilizing lessons learned, he was able to coordinate three successful transfers without any delay during BALTOPS 22, ensuring Roman Catholic sailors of multiple nations received ministry. Cook also planned the movement of a German Navy chaplain. He said it was exciting to use assets from three different countries to move the chaplain to three different vessels and back to her home ship. He said involving chaplains in exercises of this nature ensures they are capable to provide religious ministry during combat. Cook said BALTOPS 22 was a display of NATO’s chaplain team capability to extend care efficiently. “We have been emphasizing the reality that if we find ourselves in combat there will be casualties and it is our job to prepare the warfighter and their families to excel in the midst of those environments,” Cook said. “When the rubber hits the road and steel starts flying, service members should expect chaplains to be there; and we will be.” Throughout the rest of the exercise, chaplains tested their ability to provide support during dynamic operations. They practiced personnel transfer between different units and nations, support during medical response scenarios, and the ability to communicate with higher headquarters with respect to personnel needs. Also, focus groups were held to consider the realities of maritime combat on the psychological and spiritual readiness of Sailors. Navy Chaplains provide religious ministry to their faith group, facilitate for the religious needs of other faiths, and care for all Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. There are more than 800 Navy Chaplains from more than 100 different religious organizations and are deployed world-wide with Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard commands. For more information please visit: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Blogs/Results/Category/22669/chaplain-corps/