(6 Jun 2016) Thousands of military personnel, along with ships from the US and other NATO countries, are taking part in the BALTOPS (Baltic Operations) maritime exercises in the Baltic Sea.
Forty-five warships, including four submarines, left the harbour in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, on Sunday.
The exercise spans across all of the Baltic Sea, as well as the Finnish, Swedish and German shores.
This is the first time US marines practice landing in Finland, a non-NATO country bordering Russia.
The drill involves around 4,500 personnel, including 800 marines from 15 different countries.
As Finland's eastern neighbour, Russia has repeatedly criticised the military exercises in the Baltics.
The operations' commander, Vice Admiral James Foggo said the US is not there "to pick a fight" but to "train" and "provide reassurance."
The Associated Press went on board of USS Carter Hall, an amphibious warship aimed for supporting assault operations on land.
Amphibious operations are the main focus of this years BALTOPS exercise.
Captain Mike McMillan, who is in charge of coordinating all of the US Navy's amphibious ships during the drill, said they are using the unique opportunity to land in Finland for the first time.
Several dozen US marines boarded the US Navy's hi-tech hovercraft L-CAC and were brought to a beach in south-western Finland on Monday morning.
BALTOPS training will continue in the Baltic Sea until 19 June.
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