NATO ships, assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), arrived in the Black Sea on Wednesday to operate and train with ships from the Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish navies.

The training will comprise simulated anti-air and anti-submarine warfare exercises, simulated small boat attacks and basic ship handling maneuvres, NATO Maritime Command's press service reports.

SNMG2 is led by Rear Adm. Brad Williamson and is composed of flagship USS Vicksburg, HMCS Fredericton, TCG Turgutreis, FGS Spessart, ITS Aliseo, and ROS Regina Maria.

The NATO maritime force has considerable sea-control, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capacities.

The deployment is in full compliance with international conventions and at the invitation of the Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish governments.

Williamson said that he was looking forward to enhance interoperability with the navies of the Black Sea Allies.

This scheduled visit, is in support of training and assurance of Black Sea Allies, which would serve as preparation for any mission NATO might be required to undertake.

SNMG2 will return to the Mediterranean Sea later in March, where it will resume patrols contributing to maritime situational awareness in the region.

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