By Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher B. Stoltz
BURGAS, Bulgaria – A P-3 and aircrew from Patrol Squadron 9’s “Golden Eagles” concluded their participation in the Bulgarian naval exercise Breeze 2012, July 1.
The annual Black Sea naval exercise involved units from the Bulgarian navy, the Turkish navy, the Greek navy, a U.S. Navy patrol airplane and three ships from the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2.
“Breeze provided an excellent opportunity to enhance our own aircrew readiness and proficiency, while also improving coordination and collaboration at sea with the Bulgarian navy and Standing NATO Maritime Group,” said Lt. Daniel Yeaw, an exercise participant from U.S. 6th Fleet’s Task Force 67. “Overall, this exercise enhanced our ability to work together for maritime security and regional stability in the Black Sea.”
During the exercise, the aircrew discussed air operations, anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue operations with the multinational participants prior to the underway portion. The at-sea portion of the exercise focused on crisis response and counter-piracy.
Breeze is an annual Bulgarian-led naval exercise in the Black Sea focused on enhancing the operational and tactical interoperability at sea between the Bulgarian naval units and regional partners.