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HMS Iron Duke sails for multinational exercise
6 June 2016
HMS Iron Duke has sailed to take part in a huge NATO multinational exercise in the Baltic Sea.
The Portsmouth-based frigate, which has been deployed with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 since January, will work with 16 allied and partner maritime nations for BALTOPS.
The annual exercise, which is now in its 44th year, includes anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine and mine countermeasures warfare as well as amphibious landings.
Iron Duke has been operating in the Baltic for a number of months already, and understands the region well through influence and engagement activity she has conducted during a number of high-profile port visits.
Participating in BALTOPS 16 is an excellent opportunity to showcase Iron Duke’s ability to work with other nations
US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet is the lead US European Command component for the BALTOPS.
The exercise will be executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) led by VAdm James Foggo USN.
Cdr Ben Aldous, Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke said: “Participating in BALTOPS 16 is an excellent opportunity to showcase Iron Duke’s ability to work with other nations just as we have been doing throughout our SNMG1 deployment.
"This exercise sends a clear message that NATO is committed to promoting unity, strength and stability in the Baltic and my Ship’s Company are trained and ready to react to any scenario.”
Iron Duke is scheduled to return to Portsmouth in July.