KIEL, Germany – U.S. Navy Midshipman Emilio Simbeck, a native of Portola, California, is participating in the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise with 18 other nations.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Steven Edgar |
“We have been assigned a running mate, which is an enlisted personnel we follow around on a daily basis,” said Simbeck. “Right now I'm shadowing a logistics specialist. It's going great. For this exercise, I hope to gain my first real naval experience underway, getting a sense of what life is like during a wartime situation and seeing how all the nations interact.”
BALTOPS 2019, scheduled for June 8-21, 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.
Simbeck is attending the U.S. Naval Academy located in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Academy was founded in 1845 and continues to provide young men and women the up-to-date academic professional training needed to be effective naval and marine officers. Naval Academy students are midshipmen on active duty in the U.S. Navy. They attend the academy for four years, graduating with bachelor of science degrees and commissions as ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Graduates serve at least five years in the Navy or Marine Corps.
Simbeck credits his success in the Navy to many lessons he learned growing up in Portola.
“The Portola community is small but very engaged and very supportive, people help each other out a lot,” Simbeck said. “Playing football in high school and getting involved in student government helped me emphasize camaraderie, accountability and shared responsibility. That's been very helpful and made my life a lot easier.”
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 Simbeck 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, Simbeck is most proud of the fact he can serve his country.
“I'm lucky to serve,” said Simbeck.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Simbeck and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Navy service means trying to preserve peace and prosperity with our allies while protecting values that people hold true and trying to actively defend those values,” Simbeck said.
BALTOPS 2019, scheduled for June 8-21, 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.
Simbeck is attending the U.S. Naval Academy located in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Academy was founded in 1845 and continues to provide young men and women the up-to-date academic professional training needed to be effective naval and marine officers. Naval Academy students are midshipmen on active duty in the U.S. Navy. They attend the academy for four years, graduating with bachelor of science degrees and commissions as ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Graduates serve at least five years in the Navy or Marine Corps.
Simbeck credits his success in the Navy to many lessons he learned growing up in Portola.
“The Portola community is small but very engaged and very supportive, people help each other out a lot,” Simbeck said. “Playing football in high school and getting involved in student government helped me emphasize camaraderie, accountability and shared responsibility. That's been very helpful and made my life a lot easier.”
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 Simbeck 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, Simbeck is most proud of the fact he can serve his country.
“I'm lucky to serve,” said Simbeck.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Simbeck and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Navy service means trying to preserve peace and prosperity with our allies while protecting values that people hold true and trying to actively defend those values,” Simbeck said.