Multinational maritime exercise Sea Breeze 2014 (SB14) is set to begin in the north-western part of the Black Sea, and focuses on establishing and securing maritime safety zone in the crisis region.
Scheduled to begin today, navies from five nations including the US, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania and Turkey together with Standing Nato Maritime Group TWO Task Unit 02 (SNMG2 TU.02) are taking part in the event and will work jointly to bolster interoperability and improve maritime security.
US European Command communication and engagement director captain Greg Hicks said: "Much of the exercise will focus on maritime interdiction operations as a primary means to enhance maritime security.
"The other key components of the exercise focus on communications, search and rescue, force protection and navigation."
Set to complete on 10 September, the exercise involves an overall 12 vessels and supply vessels, including three vessels from SNMG2 TU.02; Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Toronto (FFH 333); Spanish frigate ESPS Almirante Juan De Borbon; and Romanian frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand.
The joint and combined naval ground, and air exercise is led and financed by the US, and involves about 280 US service members in addition to jets and helicopters from the participating nations.
Leaders from participating nations will share opinions about the progress of both the exercise and maritime security in the Black Sea since the trials began.
