Black Sea Rotational Force at Exercise BALTOPS 2012

Photos by Staff Sgt. Nate Hauser

Reconnaissance Marines of the Ground Combat Element, Black Sea Rotational Force 12, fast rope on to a beachhead, from a Lithuanian helicopter, in order to observe enemy movements prior to an amphibious landing during Exercise BALTOPS 2012, June 4. The Marines and sailors of BSRF-12 joined Lithuanian infantry soldiers in the first amphibious landing on Lithuanian soil in 40 years. BSRF-12 is Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force training with 19 countries to facilitate interoperability with U.S. partner nations and promote regional stability while providing a limited crisis response capability in the Black Sea and Caucasus regions. BALTOPS 2012 aims to improve maritime security in the Baltic region through increased interoperability and cooperation amongst regional allies both on land and sea.

Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, perform an amphibious landing aboard Polish landing craft launched from the OPR Krakow during Exercise BALTOPS 2012, June 4. The Marines and sailors of BSRF-12 joined Lithuanian infantry soldiers in the first amphibious landing on Lithuanian soil in 40 years. BSRF-12 is Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force training with 19 countries to facilitate interoperability with U.S. partner nations and promote regional stability while providing a limited crisis response capability in the Black Sea and Caucasus regions. BALTOPS 2012 aims to improve maritime security in the Baltic region through increased interoperability and cooperation amongst regional allies both on land and sea.

Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, prepare to disembark a Polish amphibious tractor while conducting an amphibious landing during Exercise BALTOPS 2012, June 4. The Marines and sailors of BSRF-12 joined Lithuanian infantry soldiers in the first amphibious landing on Lithuanian soil in 40 years. BSRF-12 is Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force training with 19 countries to facilitate interoperability with U.S. partner nations and promote regional stability while providing a limited crisis response capability in the Black Sea and Caucasus regions. BALTOPS 2012 aims to improve maritime security in the Baltic region through increased interoperability and cooperation amongst regional allies both on land and sea.

Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, disembark a Polish amphibious tractor while conducting an amphibious landing during Exercise BALTOPS 2012, June 4. The Marines and sailors of BSRF-12 joined Lithuanian infantry soldiers in the first amphibious landing on Lithuanian soil in 40 years. BSRF-12 is Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force training with 19 countries to facilitate interoperability with U.S. partner nations and promote regional stability while providing a limited crisis response capability in the Black Sea and Caucasus regions. BALTOPS 2012 aims to improve maritime security in the Baltic region through increased interoperability and cooperation amongst regional allies both on land and sea.

Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, disembark a Polish amphibious tractor while conducting an amphibious landing during Exercise BALTOPS 2012, June 4. The Marines and sailors of BSRF-12 joined Lithuanian infantry soldiers in the first amphibious landing on Lithuanian soil in 40 years. BSRF-12 is Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force training with 19 countries to facilitate interoperability with U.S. partner nations and promote regional stability while providing a limited crisis response capability in the Black Sea and Caucasus regions. BALTOPS 2012 aims to improve maritime security in the Baltic region through increased interoperability and cooperation amongst regional allies both on land and sea.

 These guys operate pretty much under the radar but they've been doing great work in spreading the "real" Marine Corps message (real training and no fluffy bunny bullshit) to allies that are generally harder and more loyal than most.  Its probably because they have fresh memories or still feel threatened by Russian expansionist tendencies.