GDYNIA, Poland -- BALTOPS '03 is an annual maritime exercise that takes place afloat in the Baltic Sea and ashore in Poland, Germany and Denmark. It is intended to improve interoperability with allies and Partnership for Peace countries by conducting a peace support operation at sea. The emphasis of this exercise is on regional stability, understanding and cooperation among the participating forces.
This exercise marks the first time U.S. Marines and their Russian Naval Infantry counterparts have trained together in this manner. It is also the first time in the 31-year history of BALTOPS that ground forces will be included in the training.