USTKA, Poland (June 18, 2024) A floating mine deployed by Norwegian Magnus Lagaboete explodes in a training mine threat area during a mine countermeasure (MCM) exercise with the “Black Jacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21 and French and Norwegian explosive ordnance disposal teams during exercise BALTOPS24. BALTOPS24 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sandi Grimnes Moreno)