U.S. 2nd Fleet to Lead BALTOPS 2019

U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F) will lead the 47th annual exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2019, the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region that takes place in the Baltic Sea mid-June 2019 marking the fleet’s first time operating in the European theater since reestablishment in 2018.

Commander, C2F, Vice Adm. Andrew “Woody” Lewis, will lead the exercise on behalf of U.S. Naval Forces Europe. He addressed more than 200 planners at the BALTOPS final planning conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, April 2.

“As you all are aware, U.S. 2nd Fleet will be leading the exercise, but make no mistake, it will be founded on NATO and partner principles,” said Lewis. “Through BALTOPS 2019 and exercises like it, we strengthen our relationships and improve overall coordination and interoperability between allies and partners during both peace and times of conflict.”

BALTOPS 2019, scheduled to include air, maritime, and ground assets from 18 nations is an annual joint, multinational maritime-focused exercise that provides a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's interconnected oceans. 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.

C2F exercises operational and administrative authorities over assigned ships, aircraft and landing forces on the East Coast and the North Atlantic. Additionally, it plans and conducts maritime, joint and combined operations as well as trains and recommends certification of combat ready naval forces for maritime employment and operations around the globe.

For more information about BALTOPS 2019 or C2F, contact mary.c.walsh1@navy.mil.