U.S. 6th Fleet and the Royal Navy commenced the 23rd iteration of Exercise Sea Breeze 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland, June 24, 2024.
According to a press release from the U.S. Navy, this marks the first of three serials of Exercise Sea Breeze, scheduled to run from June 26 to July 5, 2024, in the Firth of Clyde Sea near Glasgow and Loch Ewe, Scotland. Sea Breeze 2024 is a joint mine countermeasure exercise between the U.S. Navy, Royal Navy, Ukrainian Navy and NATO forces.
The exercise was first held in 1997.
“Sea Breeze 2024 provides an opportunity for Allies and partners to improve interoperability and train for a post-conflict era Black Sea region,” said Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68 Commodore Capt. Geoffrey Townsend.
“It is crucial for Allies and partners to have a venue to work side-by-side on mine countermeasures, especially with the great threat floating mines pose to maritime safety and security in the Black Sea as a result of the war in Ukraine. Sea Breeze brings together NATO Allies and partners to conduct maritime, air and land command and control and security operations, improving readiness and responsiveness.”
The exercise aims to address the challenges that mines pose to maritime safety and security, global food security, and commerce. George will cover it in depth over the next few days.
“Our ability to train and rehearse, whilst growing the capability of the Ukrainian Navy, will support the globally shared long-term goal of creating a safe and prosperous maritime environment in the Black Sea,” said Royal Navy Commodore Steven Banfield MBE, Co-Chair of the Maritime Capability Development Coalition for Ukraine.
“This activity will be essential to support the economy of Ukraine through ensuring the free flow of maritime trade. I have been hugely impressed and inspired by the crews of the Chernihiv and Cherkasy. The amount they have achieved in such a short period of time is truly remarkable.”
Sea Breeze 2024-1 focuses on the integration and command and control of Mine Countermeasure Vessels and a Ukrainian task group HQ augmented by international staff officers and mentors.
Are they sure that all the flags just right, no creases.
Is it my imagination or is there a bit of a lull in activity?
Not much point in the UK, France or the USA pushing policy decisions that are either not being made or might be reversed in the near future.