USTKA, Poland (June 19, 2015) -- U.S. Army paratroopers, from the 173rd Airborne Brigade's 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, participated in a joint, combined amphibious and air assault from ships in the Baltic Sea here as part of Exercise Baltic Operations, or BALTOPS, 2015, June 17.
In its 43rd iteration, BALTOPS is a large-scale multinational maritime exercise spread over Germany, Poland, Sweden and throughout the Baltic Sea with some 5,600 troops from ground, maritime and air forces from 17 participating nations. The exercise enhances flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrates resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region.
The paratroopers arrived in Ravlunda, Sweden, June 7, for several days of combined live-fire exercises with Swedish, Finnish, and U.S. Marine forces. Through the course of the exercise, the paratroopers lived aboard the Royal British Navy's HMS Ocean to conduct various multinational amphibious and air-assault operations and expand the capabilities of the airborne infantry.
"This is the first time many of us as paratroopers have had the opportunity to conduct airborne and amphibious operations from a naval vessel," said Capt. Matthew McCarthy, commander of 2nd Battalion's Company D. "This opportunity gives us added flexibility, and more ways to project combat power into a wartime environment."
During the two-week event, the paratroopers practiced boarding amphibious landing craft, movement in landing craft and ship-to-shore assaults to establish beachheads. To increase partner capacity, and effectiveness, the Americans joined with Finnish marines from the Nyland Brigade and the Finnish navy to enhance the training opportunities for both sides.
"In the event of a real world crisis, we need to know that our systems work, and our methods are effective," said Lt. Junior Grade Daniel Forsell of the Finnish marines.
The integration with American forces provided a new and unique experience for all those involved.
"Our guys were very motivated to learn from our American friends, and we were happy to show them how we operate our procedures," Forsell said. "There is much to learn from each other, and together we enhance the defense of our countries."
After more than a week of shared learning and rehearsals, the Sky Soldiers prepared for the main assault, June 17. Some paratroopers loaded into British CH-47 helicopters on the deck of the HMS Ocean to conduct air-assault raids to clear objectives in support of the beach landing, a task familiar to the paratroopers. Many of the paratroopers boarded British landing craft vehicles and joined the combined Marine force for the assault on the beach itself.
"We're sending a message to not only our allies, but the entire world," McCarthy said. "This exercise has once again demonstrated our ability to combine our assets and enhance our ability to secure peace and stability to the Baltic region."
While the paratroopers here were assaulting a beach, other paratroopers from the brigade were conducting airfield seizures elsewhere in Poland and Lithuania as part of the related U.S. Army Europe-led multinational Exercise Saber Strike.
"Participating in exercises this large and diverse shows our flexibility and how we can contribute to the joint team and to the alliance," said Capt. Pat Leen, a plans officer for the event, from the 173rd.
The combined exercises also demonstrated interior lines through which NATO forces can quickly move within the alliance.
"Our paratroopers went from Italy to Sweden to conduct joint and combined planning, and then onto a British ship to conduct ship-to-shore and air assault operations into Poland," Leen said. "That highlights the freedom of maneuver within NATO."
The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of deploying ready forces across the U.S. European, Africa, and Central Commands' areas of responsibility in 18 hours or less.
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