photos by John F. Williams
United States Navy ships involved in BALTOPS 95 included: the guided missile cruiser Philippine Sea (above left); missile frigates Clark and Taylor; and the Coastal Patrol boats Sirocco and Typhoon. Two American H-60 helicopters (above right) from HSL-46, assigned to the Philippine Sea and Taylor, also participated.
A major part of BALTOPS is sailors. For many American sailors this was the first time they had an opprotunity to meet sailors from other countries. Commander Bruce Cuppett, USS Clark Commanding Officer, said about his opportunity to visit with Russian sailors, "This was something I never thought would happen. Meeting with my Russian counterparts has been the highlight of my naval career".
For the Sirocco and Typhoon it was the first time since development that Patrol Coastal Class (PC) ships have crossed the Atlantic Ocean. PC's are 170 feet inlength with a beam of 25 feet and a draft of 7.8 feet. This made crossing the Atlantic Ocean a tricky proposition. During BALTOPS the Sirocco and Typhoon teamed up with German Fast Patrol boats (FTB), Norweigan FTB's and Polish and Swedish corvettes to participate in special exercises.
photos by John F. Williams
Russia
Poland
Sweden