http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Finland+to+host+large+naval+exercise+in+September/1135252462059
Helsingin Sanomat
January 28, 2010
Finland to host large naval exercise in September
Ships from USA, France, and Germany will take part in drill in Finland’s
southwestern archipelago
-At least according to the Finnish Navy, the exercise does not have anything to
do with the Baltic Sea’s planned underwater gas pipeline, Nord Stream.
But at least off hand, Annele Apajakari, Chief Public Information Officer at
Navy Command Finland, was unable to say why also the United States, the
Netherlands, and France will be involved.
-Previously the same drill has been organised four times, led by Germany in the
southern Baltic Sea.
In the future the idea is to rotate the role of the host among the
participating countries.
In September this year Finland is to play host to what is by far the largest
naval military exercise that has ever been seen in Finnish territorial waters.
The drill will be joined by 50 ships and 2,500 persons.
The Northern Coasts (NOCO) manoeuvre is a multinational crisis management
operation that takes place in the Baltic Sea. It will include participating
vessels and troops from Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, the
Netherlands, France, and the United States.
In the Northern Baltic Sea the exercise will extend to the waters near Finland
in the area of Finland’s Southwestern Archipelago. To the east in the Gulf of
Finland the drill will extend to an area between Hanko and Kirkkonummi. In the
north it will reach the level of the city of Uusikaupunki.
The operation will include exercises both on the sea and on land.
At least according to the Finnish Navy, the exercise does not have anything to
do with the Baltic Sea’s planned underwater gas pipeline, Nord Stream.
But at least off hand, Annele Apajakari, Chief Public Information Officer at
Navy Command Finland, was unable to say why also the United States, the
Netherlands, and France will be involved.
The maritime operations will be supported by air and special troops. The
exercise’s emphasis is on the archipelago conditions, which differ greatly from
the conditions in the southern Baltic Sea.
The demilitarised Aland Islands themselves will be left outside the scope of
the drill.
The framework of the exercise is a conflict between two countries that has an
effect on the surrounding countries as well. In the operation, various threats
will be simulated, such as terrorism, smuggling, and environmental catastrophes.
Apart from Finland, most of the participating ships will come from Sweden and
Germany, 12 to 15 vessels from each. From Finland nearly the entire Navy fleet
will be included.
Denmark, too, will send several ships to the exercise, whereas from elsewhere
such as the Netherlands and France, only solitary ships will arrive. As far as
is known the United States will take part in the drill with mine clearance
vessels and unmanned reconnaissance aerial drones.
The NOCO exercise will take place between September 10th-24th.
Previously the same drill has been organised four times, led by Germany in the
southern Baltic Sea.
In the future the idea is to rotate the role of the host among the
participating countries.
The September exercise will take place in cooperation with the rest of the sea
and air traffic. Possible restrictions will be announced at a later date.
Also the various environmental considerations, such as the fuelling of the
participating vessels, will be planned later.
The exercise will take place in the vicinity of a national park.
===========================
Stop NATO
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato
Blog site:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/
To subscribe, send an e-mail to:
[email protected]
or
[email protected]
Daily digest option available.
==============================
