Ukraine hosts 17 nations for Black Sea drill Sea Breeze

Defense forces from 17 countries are attending the multinational Black Sea exercise Sea Breeze which is taking place from July 10 to 22, in Ukraine.

The exercise is co-hosted by the U.S. and Ukraine and will involve air, land, sea, and amphibious forces.

The annual recurring multinational exercise is in its 17th edition and will focus on a variety of warfare areas to include maritime interdiction operations, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, damage control tactics, search and rescue, and amphibious warfare.

Sea Breeze is designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, strengthen combined response capabilities, and demonstrate resolve among allied and partner nation forces to ensure stability in the Black Sea region.

This year’s participating nations include: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

Participating U.S. Navy units will include the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) in addition to other units.