Ukraine: NATO's 'Sea Breeze-2015' maritime exercise enters active phase

NATO's 'Sea Breeze-2015' maritime exercise entered its active phase at the Kulbakino airbase in the Black Sea city of Mykolaiv, Tuesday. The Sea Breeze-2015 exercise is led by the United States and Ukraine and involves air, land and naval forces with a focus on maritime drills conducted in the Black Sea, off the coast of Odessa. Anti-submarine warfare, air defense, search and rescue, interdiction, self-defense against small boat attacks and other tactical manoeuvres are expected to be practiced. According to Ukraine's Defense Ministry, about 90 vehicles will be used to rehearse a multinational security operation in a crisis region. Eleven countries are involved in the Sea Breeze-2015 drills including NATO members Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Turkey, the UK and the US, along with non-NATO members Moldova, Sweden and Ukraine. Ukraine deployed 1,000 troops, nine warships and eight aircraft, while the United States sent 1,000 troops, five warships, six aircraft and two submarines. The Sea Breeze drills have been conducted in Ukraine almost every year since the country's independence, except for the years 2006, 2007 and 2009.