Romania hosts NATO Allies for major Black Sea exercise

Naval assets from seven Allied nations and NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 are training maritime capabilities and combat proficiency in the Black Sea from May 7 to 13 2018, as part of Exercise Sea Shield. 

Some 21 military ships, 10 fighter aircrafts, a submarine, and 2,300 servicemen are taking part. Romanian-led exercise Sea Shield 2018 involves participants from the US, the UK, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain and Turkey, which participate with frigates, missile boats, corvettes and a destroyer. The exercise is based on a fictitious crisis response scenario.

"By organising and hosting the Sea Shield 2018 Exercise, the Romanian Naval Forces, together with the NATO Allied Forces, are contributing to a strong cooperation in the Black Sea region and to the continued improvement of the procedures that ensure safe and secure maritime activities," said the commander of the exercise, Rear-Admiral Daniel Căpăţîna.

NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2, which is currently deployed in the Black Sea, is participating with a number of vessels - HMS Duncan, ESPS Victoria, TCG Gemlik, ROS Regele Ferdinand and BGS Drazki.

Exercise Sea Shield is an annual event and is open to NATO Allies and partner nations.