This is an chance to cooperate and integrate so crucial in NATO, say soldiers who have taken part in the “Breeze ’24” maneuvers in the Black Sea just completed. They were attended by 2.5 1000 sailors from 12 countries. Poles acted in the training staff. The program included anti-terrorist actions, combating submarines, searching and neutralizing mines.
“Breeze” is the most crucial yearly exercises of Bulgarian Navy. They are usually conducted in an global composition. This time, too. The task was attended by 2.5 1000 sailors from 11 NATO states. Together with the Black Sea associate States, representatives sent to Bulgaria, among others, the USA, the UK, France and Latvia. The participants were besides joined by the remaining outside of the Georgian Alliance.
Individual tasks were carried out in Bulgarian waters of the Black Sea. There were, among others, rocket frigates from Romania and Bulgaria and a Turkish logistics vessel. The Black Sea Antimine Group besides presented itself during the exercise. It was established only a fewer months ago, in consequence to events related to the Russian-Ukrainian War. Both sides of the conflict are intensively mincing routes and approaches leading to Ukrainian ports, frequently utilizing old anchor mines. Sometimes, as a consequence of storms, mines break down and drift freely across the sea. In September 2022 1 of them damaged a Romanian trawler, and in late last year a akin destiny was encountered by a Greek merchant ship. There were times erstwhile mines reached the Turkish coast. The ships of the group that Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria have set up are about to aid remove them.
Along with the ships, the “Breeze” was besides attended by patrol aircraft from the US, France and Turkey, as well as Miner divers groups from respective countries. The list of tasks that sailors faced was long – from search for submarines through anti-piracy to rescue actions. He led the global staff, which consisted of 2 officers from the 12th Trailers Division. 8 Coast Defence Fleets Świnoujście. “We were assigned to a cell that coordinated the activities of miners divers,” explains Lieutenant Mar. Simon Frankowski of the pig's flotilla.
Two groups operated at sea. The first, composed of Bulgarian and Belgian teams, sought exercise mines in shallow waters close Burgas port. The divers used, among others, the autonomous submarine Remus. The another group did the same thing, only in the open sea close Varna. The depths reached tens of meters. Bulgarians and Americans went under the water, who had to face terrorist threats in addition. They neutralized an explosive device attached to the ship's side, which rolled into the port of Varna. – Our task was to keep constant contact with diving teams. We have collected information on their actions and on how they have been implemented. We analysed the data to present them during the morning and afternoon briefings – explains Lt. Mar. Patrick Hare of 8 FOW.
Polish officers agree that participation in the “Breeze” proved to be a valuable experience. I service in a group of miners all day. I'm doing tasks at tactical level. This is where I jumped on the operating level. I had the chance to look at the planning process, to cooperate with experienced officers," the lieutenant emphasised. Hare. In a akin tone, Lieutenant Mar. Frankowski speaks. – Americans, British, Bulgarians, Turks worked in the headquarters... We could see how representatives of different countries are approaching to solve certain problems, learn something new. This is simply a step towards integration, which is so crucial in NATO," concludes the officer.
The maneuvers lasted 10 days. It ended on July 14th.
