Ships from numerous nations, including the US Navy destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), have been arriving here since Friday as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 367 for the multi-national exercise, Sea Breeze 2008.
The guided-missile destroyer is one of 14 ships participating in Sea Breeze, a joint invitational and combined maritime exercise involving 16 countries and held in the spirit of partnership for peace.
The exercise is an annual event which occurs in the Black Sea and at various land-based Ukrainian training facilities with the goals of enhancing multinational interoperability, developing Black Sea-nation maritime security capabilities, and improving involvement in Navy Europe's larger Black Sea Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) strategy.
"This exercise is a key part of the U.S. Navy's strategy to enrich our partnerships in the region and work together to improve maritime safety and security," said Navy Cdr. Tim Schorr, commanding officer of McFaul. "Both myself and the entire crew [of McFaul] are excited to work with our friends from all over the world."
Sea Breeze started today with an opening ceremony and comments from senior officers and government officials representing Ukraine, the host nation, and the commander of the U.S. Navy contingent. Participants from the 14 partner nations taking part in this partnership for peace (PfP) exercise were also in attendance.
"Exercise Sea Breeze demonstrates the United State's and partner nation's commitment to regional stability and maritime security," said U.S. Navy Capt. John Moore, exercise deputy commander and commodore of CTF-367. "During this exercise, Sailors and Marines will work side-by-side with other personnel from partner ships while they are underway and ashore and will become familiar with the other militaries'
operating procedures and practices."
The first of the exercise's events occurs today with the standing up of the Joint Operation Center (JOC) and a series of briefings directed toward the leadership of the participating nations. The exercise is scheduled to continue through July 26 and includes 14 ships, 17 aircraft and more than 2,200 personnel. During their stay, partner-nation personnel will also have opportunities to experience the rich history
and culture of Odessa.
