Participating nations sail in formation in the Black Sea during exercise Sea Breeze 2018. Credit: US Navy by mass communication specialist 1st class Justin Stumberg / Released.

The multinational maritime exercise Sea Breeze, which was co-hosted by US and Ukraine, has concluded in Odessa, Ukraine.

The 18th iteration of Exercise Sea Breeze was carried out in the Black Sea in order to improve the interoperability of the participating countries and bolster maritime security within the region.

US 6th Fleet vice-commander rear admiral Shawn Duane said: “Our sailors and marines worked on the water, in the air, on land and under the sea.

"The at-sea portion of Exercise Sea Breeze saw personnel sail on-board the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) for the first time."

“29 ships from 18 nations participated and many tactical skills were practiced and perfected.”

The at-sea portion of Exercise Sea Breeze saw personnel sail on-board the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) for the first time.

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More than 150 staff members from various participating nations embarked on the maritime operations centre on-board the USS Mount Whitney as part of the initiative.

US Coast Guard (USCG) TF-65 maritime planner lieutenant Ryan Newmeyer said: “This year’s exercise presented new challenges and new areas to improve that will allow us to make next year’s exercise even more complex.

“As we increase the interoperability between our Black Sea partners and Nato allies, we need to continue to adapt to the changing environment and embarking staff aboard the USS Mount Whitney is just one way of doing that.”

A number of navy vessels from the US, Ukraine, Turkey and Bulgaria conducted operations designed to address several different scenarios during the exercise.

This year’s instalment of Exercise Sea Breeze initially commenced on 9 July following ceremonies in Odessa and the Shiroky Lan training range.