Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: 10. June 2014
Russia Holding Military Maneuvers In Kaliningrad, NATO in Baltics
Russia starts maneuvers to counter NATO drills. Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:31PM
The Russian Defense Ministry said military drills involving the Baltic Sea fleet, the Russian Air Force, and paratroopers are under way in Kaliningrad, Russia's westernmost region sandwiched between EU and NATO members Lithuania and Poland.
Meanwhile, NATO has launched one of its largest-ever military maneuvers in the former Soviet Baltic countries of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Latvian special operations forces in an exercise with US and other NATO allies
The exercises come as tensions between NATO and Russia have spiked over its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in March.
Around 4,700 troops and 800 military vehicles from 10 countries are participating in the exercises, which started in Latvia on June 9, moved to Lithuania on June 10, and conclude in Estonia later in the week.
NATO military maneuvers in Latvia
Russia has objected to the drills, describing them as an "act of aggression."
US sends B-2 stealth bombers to Europe
Two of the United States' most recognizable military aircraft -- a pair of B-2 stealth bombers -- caught the eyes of residents as they arrived in Europe this week for training.
"They seem to defy science!" said one Twitter user in Cirencester, England, who saw one of the stealth bombers in flight.
The bombers' unique radar-evading design always draws attention, as does this training mission in particular, which comes at a time of conflict in Ukraine.
An Air Force news release about the mission did not mention the Ukraine crisis, but U.S. fighter jets have previously been deployed to Europe on similar training missions to show support for NATO allies.
The ‘flying wing’ shaped B 2 Stealth Bomber (nicknamed ‘Spirit’, acompanied with two stealth F 117 Nighthawk) is a unique aircraft that’s designed to make it as invisible as possible. Its shape means there are very few leading edges for radar. B 2
The mission for the pair of stealth bombers, the Air Force said, is to conduct flights in Europe and to become familiar with air bases and operations in the area.
"This deployment of strategic bombers provides an invaluable opportunity to strengthen and improve interoperability with our allies and partners," said Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of U.S. Strategic Command. "The training and integration of strategic forces demonstrates to our nation's leaders and our allies that we have the right mix of aircraft and expertise to respond to a variety of potential threats and situations."
The B-2s are assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
"Just saw a Stealth Bomber fly over our house," another resident said on Twitter. "Amazing aircraft. My son wanted to know if Batman was flying it."
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