Six NATO vessels have been in the Black Sea since March 4 on invitation from Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey for planned maneuvers. The group includes USS Vicksburg, four frigates - Turkey's Turgut Reis, Italy's Aliseo, Canada's Fredericton and Romania's Regina Maria, as well as Germany's Spessart auxiliary ship. US Vice-Admiral Brad Williamson is in charge of the group. According to NATO’s press-service the drills are aimed at practising protection from air raids and from torpedo attacks by submarines. NATO warships are obliged to meet the conditions of the Monroe doctrine not to stay in the Black Sea basin longer than 21 days. The water displacement of NATO warships staying in the Black Sea should not exceed 45,000 tons. Most recent NATO Black Sea maneuvers in this TASS photo gallery.
NATO Black Sea military drills
Six NATO vessels are conducting maneuvers in the Black Sea
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US marine servicemen stand by missile launch pads on the deck of the USS Vicksburg in the Black Sea port of Constanta, March 15
© AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda Romanian navy frigate Regina Maria (left) crosses with USS Vicksburg
© EPA/STR Practice of anti-radar measures
© EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT A navy officer observes the maneuvers
© EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT Romanian Navy speed-boat 'Fulgerul 1' during the drills
© EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT A Romanian navy military
© EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT A Romanian military helicopter on board of Romanian frigate Regina Maria
© EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT An Italian helicopter pilot attached to the Italian warship Aliseo
© AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda A helicopter landing on the deck of the Italian warship Aliseo
© AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda NATO warships maneuver on the Black Sea after leaving the port of Constanta, Romania, March 16
© AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda