The battleship “Kerasarge” is set to become the first US Navy attack ship in 20 years to participate in international exercises in the Baltic Sea, an area very close to the Russian border.
“This is the first time in recent memory for us (a U.S. assault ship participating in exercises in the Baltic) and it’s a very exciting thing,” U.S. Navy Capt. Tom Foster told The Associated Press.
“Kerasarge” is the flagship of the 22nd Naval Expeditionary Force, one of the largest ships in the US Navy.
Its mission in the Baltic Sea is to increase safety and security in the region.
The Corsarge provides takeoff for AV-8B Harrier aircraft, UH-1 Y Phenom and MV-22 Osprey helicopters.
During the exercises, the ship simulated an encounter with Russian forces and contacted them several times.
The commander of the ship’s amphibious group said: In this deployment, we had nothing but safe and professional communication with them.
The ship, along with other US Navy ships, participated in months of exercises with the armies of Sweden and Finland.
The countries bordering the Baltic Sea are: Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Denmark.
These exercises are held in the midst of tensions in the region after the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
After the start of the war in Ukraine, the countries of Northern Europe started their way to join NATO.
Moscow has repeatedly warned Helsinki and Stockholm against joining NATO and has warned of retaliatory measures if they do.
Source: Lebanon Debate
