USS Vella Gulf Deploys for BALTOPS
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060518-03
Release Date: 5/18/2006 7:41:00 AM
By Lithographer Seaman Cory Rose, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Nearly 350 Sailors from guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) deployed for the 34th annual maritime exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) May 17, from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
BALTOPS is an international exercise formed through the Partnership for Peace (PFP). This exercise allows allied nations to come together and participate in events including mine countermeasures, maritime interdiction, damage control, search and rescue, gunnery, replenishment-at-sea, undersea warfare, radar tracking and seamanship.
The U.S. Navy is participating in BALTOPS with Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Nearly 2,000 personnel, 15 ships, two submarines and 30 aircraft from the U.S and allied nations will participate. This multinational environment can involve some challenges, and the crew of Vella Gulf had nothing but enthusiasm. One activity Sailors seemed to be excited about was role-playing.
“We will be the bad guys while they try to hunt us down,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Jeff Eubanks. “It’s going to be fun to go out there and play around with other countries.”
Sailors from Vella Gulf are eager to participate, including Quartermaster 1st Class Timothy Bragdton, who said, “We are going to have a ball.” Nonetheless, they have the important job of being the flagship for this exercise.
Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, Rear Adm. Joseph F. Kilkenny, will conduct BALTOPS while aboard Vella Gulf.
“This adds another aspect of the challenge,” said Lt. Cmdr. Corey Keniston, Vella Gulf’s executive officer. “It’s exciting because we are going to see from a higher level and a different perspective how [strike] groups operate together.”
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