The active phase of the US-Ukraine exercise Sea Breeze 2015 has begun in the north-western Black Sea and in Mykolaiv and Odesa oblasts, the Defense Ministry’s website reports.
The participating ships from Ukraine, the US, Romania, and Turkey conducted a mine-sweep steering drill in Odesa’s outer roadstead. The inshore minesweeper Henichesk of the Ukrainian Navy played the role of a leading vessel. Then the maritime part of the maneuvers showed a drill in anti-missile-boat defense. The Ukrainian Navy frigate Hetman Sahaidachny successfully rebuffed an attack by a pinpoint target.
In the next few days, the maritime component will see a series of exercises, including search for a submarine, air defense, interception and examination of an intruding vessel, artillery fire at seaborne and airborne targets, damage control, towing a wrecked ship, communications, etc.
The actions of the maritime and coastal components are being supported by airplanes and helicopters of the Ukrainian Navy, the Ukrainian Air Force, Ukraine’s State Border Security Force, and the US Navy. The active phase of the exercise will last until September 11.
