KIEL, Germany – Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Martinez, a native of El Paso, Texas, is participating in the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise with 18 other nations.
Martinez is an information systems technician aboard USS Mount Whitney.
“I’m working to ensure we maintain radio communications, whether it be walkie-talkies, satellite comms, or our internet services,” said Martinez. “I enjoy the camaraderie and interacting with other countries. I think that's how you get people to fight alongside another country. We have what I call the fancy tea parties, where the admirals get together, but this is where the cohesion happens. We’re going to have sporting competitions, soccer, archery, shooting, pistol and rifle, and chess events between the participant nations.”
BALTOPS 2019, scheduled for June 08-21, includes sea, air and land assets. The multi-national exercise provides a unique training opportunity that fosters cooperative relationships critical to ensuring safety at sea and security on the world's interconnected oceans. According to U.S. Navy officials, it is designed to improve training value for participants, enhance flexibility and interoperability, and demonstrate resolve among allied and partner forces in defending the Baltic Sea region.
Mount Whitney is named for the 14,505-foot peak in the Sierra-Nevada range in California, the highest point in the lower continental United States. It is the first ship in the U.S. Navy to bear this name. Mount Whitney serves as the Command Ship for Commander, SIXTH Fleet, Commander, Striking Force NATO and has a complement of 150 enlisted personnel, 12 officers and 150 Civilian Mariners from Military Sealift Command.
Martinez credits success in the Navy to the many lessons he learned growing up in El Paso.
“I learned that everyone has something to contribute, whether it's the top or the bottom of the totem pole," said Martinez. "Sometimes the janitor knows more than the CEO.”
BALTOPS 2019 was planned and is being led by U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F), as directed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe. C2F was re-established last summer as a response to the changing security environment, and BALTOPS 2019 marks the first time the renewed fleet will be operating in Europe.
Commander, C2F, Vice Adm. Andrew “Woody” Lewis, will lead the exercise on behalf of U.S. Naval Forces Europe.
“As you all are aware, U.S. 2nd Fleet will be leading the exercise, but make no mistake, it will be founded on NATO and partner principles,” said Lewis. “Through BALTOPS 2019 and exercises like it, we strengthen our relationships and improve overall coordination and interoperability between allies and partners during both peace and times of conflict.”
The exercise will begin in Kiel, Germany, with the pre-sail conference. At-sea training will occur throughout the Baltic Sea, including events scheduled near Putlos, Germany; Saaremaa Island, Estonia; Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Ravlunda, Sweden. At the end of the exercise, most participating ships will sail to Kiel, Germany, to participate in the Kielerwochen Festival (Kiel Week).
Allied nations with ships and forces participating in BALTOPS 2019 include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NATO partner nations Finland and Sweden will also participate in the exercise.
Serving in the Navy means Martinez is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Martinez is most proud of just getting the job done.
“That is reward enough for me,” said Martinez. “That lets me hold my head high.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Martinez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I've had a long tradition of people in my family serving in the military, going all the way back to my grandfather who served in the Mexican army,” said Martinez. "Being from Texas, military service is a point of pride. As bad as the world is, there's hope for it to be better and I'm just here to do my part to help make it better.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Steven Edgar |
Martinez is an information systems technician aboard USS Mount Whitney.
“I’m working to ensure we maintain radio communications, whether it be walkie-talkies, satellite comms, or our internet services,” said Martinez. “I enjoy the camaraderie and interacting with other countries. I think that's how you get people to fight alongside another country. We have what I call the fancy tea parties, where the admirals get together, but this is where the cohesion happens. We’re going to have sporting competitions, soccer, archery, shooting, pistol and rifle, and chess events between the participant nations.”
BALTOPS 2019, scheduled for June 08-21, includes sea, air and land assets. The multi-national exercise provides a unique training opportunity that fosters cooperative relationships critical to ensuring safety at sea and security on the world's interconnected oceans. According to U.S. Navy officials, it is designed to improve training value for participants, enhance flexibility and interoperability, and demonstrate resolve among allied and partner forces in defending the Baltic Sea region.
Mount Whitney is named for the 14,505-foot peak in the Sierra-Nevada range in California, the highest point in the lower continental United States. It is the first ship in the U.S. Navy to bear this name. Mount Whitney serves as the Command Ship for Commander, SIXTH Fleet, Commander, Striking Force NATO and has a complement of 150 enlisted personnel, 12 officers and 150 Civilian Mariners from Military Sealift Command.
Martinez credits success in the Navy to the many lessons he learned growing up in El Paso.
“I learned that everyone has something to contribute, whether it's the top or the bottom of the totem pole," said Martinez. "Sometimes the janitor knows more than the CEO.”
BALTOPS 2019 was planned and is being led by U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F), as directed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe. C2F was re-established last summer as a response to the changing security environment, and BALTOPS 2019 marks the first time the renewed fleet will be operating in Europe.
Commander, C2F, Vice Adm. Andrew “Woody” Lewis, will lead the exercise on behalf of U.S. Naval Forces Europe.
“As you all are aware, U.S. 2nd Fleet will be leading the exercise, but make no mistake, it will be founded on NATO and partner principles,” said Lewis. “Through BALTOPS 2019 and exercises like it, we strengthen our relationships and improve overall coordination and interoperability between allies and partners during both peace and times of conflict.”
The exercise will begin in Kiel, Germany, with the pre-sail conference. At-sea training will occur throughout the Baltic Sea, including events scheduled near Putlos, Germany; Saaremaa Island, Estonia; Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Ravlunda, Sweden. At the end of the exercise, most participating ships will sail to Kiel, Germany, to participate in the Kielerwochen Festival (Kiel Week).
Allied nations with ships and forces participating in BALTOPS 2019 include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NATO partner nations Finland and Sweden will also participate in the exercise.
Serving in the Navy means Martinez is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Martinez is most proud of just getting the job done.
“That is reward enough for me,” said Martinez. “That lets me hold my head high.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Martinez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I've had a long tradition of people in my family serving in the military, going all the way back to my grandfather who served in the Mexican army,” said Martinez. "Being from Texas, military service is a point of pride. As bad as the world is, there's hope for it to be better and I'm just here to do my part to help make it better.”