Members of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and Ukrainian naval ship Hetman Sahaydachniy (U-130) conducted visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) and damage control training during exercise Sea Breeze 2015, Sept. 4, 2015.
Sea Breeze is an annual multinational maritime exercise, with a land and air component, co-hosted by the United States and Ukraine. The exercise seeks to enhance interoperability and capabilities amongst participating forces, and is scheduled to take place from Aug. 31 through Sept. 12.
During the VBSS portion of the training Ukrainian Navy sent ten sailors to train aboard Donald Cook as five Ukrainian coast guard members observed the process.
The at-sea phase is focused on maritime interdiction operations as a primary means to enhance maritime security. Specific skill sets tested in the at-sea phase include maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare, and self-defense against small boat attacks.
With a land and air component, Sea Breeze seeks to enhance interoperability and capabilities amongst participating forces, while promoting regional security and cooperation between personnel of participating nations.
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Image: US Navy