A specialised team of US Marines will redirect to the Baltic Sea to support Baltic Sentry, NATO’s enhanced vigilance activity, according to The U.S. Department of War.
Around four dozen Marines from the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, will deploy. The unit is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It will operate alongside Finland’s Coastal Brigade, providing expeditionary surveillance and tactical reconnaissance.
Protecting critical infrastructure
The activity aims to improve maritime domain awareness and safeguard undersea infrastructure. The Marines will use small unmanned aerial systems and littoral sensors. Their data will feed directly into the shared NATO common operational picture.
European-led, US-enabled
European allies lead Baltic Sentry under Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum and Allied Maritime Command. The US Marine Corps plays a supporting role.
Maj. Gen. Daniel Shipley, commander of US Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa, called the arrangement a clear example of European allies leading regional maritime security. He said the US contributes specialised, agile capabilities.
“Working side by side with our Finnish allies strengthens our collective readiness,” Shipley said. He added that the partnership helps deter hybrid threats in the Baltic littoral.
Finnish Navy Capt. Johan Tillander, chief of operations at Finland Navy Command, welcomed the deployment. He said the Marines’ experience and systems suit the task of supplementing Finland’s situation picture and supporting Baltic Sea monitoring.
Learn more on the US DoW website
