U.S. and NATO partners are escalating their presence of military aircraft, people and ships in Europe for the next two weeks in military exercises that have taken on greater symbolic significance due to the continued Russian advances in East Ukraine.
“This is the biggest exercise since I can remember,” said Rear Adm. Juan Garat of the Royal Spanish Navy. “One of the biggest exercises … that has been conducted in this region since a long time ago.”
Garat, along with U.S. 6th Fleet commander Vice Adm. John Foggo and British Rear Adm. Tim Lowe, the deputy commander of NATO’s naval strike forces, spoke to reporters from on board the amphibious warship USS San Antonio, which is in the Baltic Sea participating in the exercises.
This year the U.S. is out in force, sending 2,000 military personnel, up from 1,200 last year. Last year two ships were sent; the U.S. sent three for 2015. It’s also sent three B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers, two B-2 stealth bombers and a host of attack aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt, and cargo and refueler aircraft including the C-130 and KC-135.
In all, between all NATO and partner contributions, there are 49 vessels, 61 aircraft and 5,600 military personnel participating. Last year, it was 30 ships and 52 aircraft.
Despite its size, the U.S. and British officials tried to downplay any ties between the buildup for the exercise and Russia’s operations in the Ukraine.
That each NATO nation has “chosen to put extra forces into it just shows solidarity of” the NATO alliance, the Lowe said.
Russia has participated in the annual exercises, known as BALTOPS, for Baltic Operations. But the last time the Russians officially participated was 2012.
“Since then the geopolitical situation has changed,” Foggo said. “We’re here to demonstrate solidarity.”
On Monday, during the 2015 exercise, the Russians were observing from a distance.
Two Russian corvettes and a third ship flanked the formation of the U.S. and NATO vessels as they left port from Poland Monday, and two Russian Su-24s flew over the formation. The group tried to communicate with them, but got no response.
