Turkish battleship during Sea Breeze 2017, Odesa
Ukrainian-American drills Sea Breeze-2017 start in Odesa, according to Interfax-Ukraine.
During the exercise, Ukrainian marines and their colleagues will train to plan and conduct maritime operations on NATO standards, combine international forces during operations to ensure security on the Black Sea.
Overall, more than 30 ships, gunboats, and military vessels take part in the drills, as well as over 25 airplanes and helicopters, with more than 3,000 sailors from 16 countries. Ukrainian representation in the drills will include The Ukrainian Naval Forces, The National Guard of Ukraine, Ukrainian Ground and Air Forces, and Ukraine’s Military Engineering Forces.
At the exercise opening Ihor Voronchenko, Ukrainian Vice Admiral, noted that this year’s exercise is a 15th anniversary, as the first navy drills in Ukraine took place in 1997.
“I’m sure the drills will be effective and our participants will have good results,” he said.
In his turn, Captain Tate Westbrook, the commander from the US side, told that the drills would include field exercises and anti-submarine operations training. He thanked his colleagues for being there and urged everyone to work together and prepare together, so by the end of the drills the participants are better trained and skilled.
The drills will take place in Odesa and Mykolaiv Oblasts and on the North-West of the Black Sea.
As we reported earlier, three Turkish Navy vessels reached Odesa, southern Ukraine today.
The US military previously told which troops are to participate in the drills from American side.
