Lt. Matthew Starr, from Norfolk, Va., conducts pre-flight maintenance checks on an MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the “Dragon Whales” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in the Baltic Sea during exercise BALTOPS22. BALTOPS22 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 Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Sippel)