Somewhere off the German coast, an enemy submarine operates. We request to find him and disable him. A task force with the frigate of the ORP “Gen. K. Pulaski” is entering the action. The Polish SH-2G chopper and aircraft from the USA and Germany are rising. This is just 1 of the episodes late completed NATO exercises under the code name "Northern Coasts 2024".
Shortly after the Russian “Ocean 2024” exercise, its presence in the Baltic one more time powerfully emphasized NATO. The “Northern Coasts 2024” maneuvers have been held for respective years by the German Navy. This year's edition was attended by ships, aircraft and helicopters from 9 countries. A full of over 700 sailors were active in the project. Among them besides Poles.
The ORP frigate "Gen. K. Pulaski" and the SH-2G onboard chopper set off for the western Baltic. Already on the ground, the Polish ship headed the task force, which besides included the Lithuanian patrolman “Dzukas” and the German logistics unit FGS “Rhein”. “We have operated off the German coast and close the Danish Straits,” explains Lieutenant Tomasz Teległów, commander of the Polish frigate. It is 1 of the most delicate regions of northern Europe. That's where the only way from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea is.
The exercises themselves were divided into a series of episodes. any of the tasks active fighting a submarine. The function of the enemy unit was played by the hosts of U-34. – The submarine is an highly hard opponent. Just tracking him down requires considerable force. They usually number from respective to respective ships, supported by aviation. But even this is not a warrant of success," said Lieutenant Sebastian Bąbel, the pilot of SH-2G, who commanded the Polish aviation component during the "Northern Coasts". Meanwhile, the very presence of an enemy submarine may paralyze shipping on a given watershed. – For the economy in the region, it is terrible information. After all, the transport of goods and natural materials is mainly carried by sea – it is akin to Kmdr. Bąbel. Therefore, the opponent’s unit must be located and eliminated as shortly as possible, or it should be abandoned.
During the "Northern Coasts" search for a submarine from sea level she was leading the frigate of the ORP "Gen. K. Pulaski". The crew utilized a hydrolocation station and towed sonar for this purpose. At the same time, 2 patrol and reconnaissance aircraft operated in the air: P-8 Poseidon from the USA and Atlantic from Germany, as well as the SH-2G helicopter. “In this kind of operation, we primarily usage sonoboi, which collect signals from the submarine. On this basis, we can track his movements. The position of the unit is further confirmed with the usage of MAD, or magnetic anomaly detector – explains kmdr Lt. Bąbel. After tracing the opponent, sailors and airmen performed simulated torpedo strikes.
But it's not over. – 1 episode assumed that the submarine had crashed and settled at the bottom. We had to find him to aid his crew. We took part in a rescue action coordinated by the Germans. Our hydroacoustics specialists had a large training, which lasted many hours – says kmdr por. Teległów.
Meanwhile, during the “Northern Coasts”, sailors focused not only on what happens underwater. – We were practicing to defend the ship and more broadly – a task force against air strikes. We besides had the chance to train in the environment of radio-electronic interference. They were generated by aircraft equipped with peculiar containers – explains the frigate commander. A boarding group from “Pułaski” was active in 1 of the tasks. It is made up of crew members who train to search and occupy the decks of another units. This time they boarded FGS ‘Rhein’.
The “Northern Coasts” maneuvers lasted a small over a week and, as the sailors themselves emphasize, were very intense. In addition to activities in which Poles participated, even mine forces carried out their tasks. The exercises were well planned. The organizers managed to implement all the previously founded episodes. It's a immense benefit to us. We have had the chance to practice in an global group, based on common procedures, and thus to build specified an crucial interoperability for NATO,” noted Mr Teległów. In a akin tone, kmdr por is spoken. Bubble: – For akin exercises, our frigates do not always go out with onboard helicopters. This time it happened, and that's excellent news. Together we make a full fresh quality. We present opportunities that not all allies can boast. The chopper is like an additional eye for the frigate, “sees” further than the ship’s radar. Working together is kind of like fighting 2 fists. Therefore, I very much hope that in addition to the recently ordered frigate of the Swordfisher, Poland will shortly be able to have fresh on-board helicopters. due to the fact that although SH-2G are good machines, they slow live to their days, says the pilot.
