 Exercise Sea Breeze 2013 began July 8 with representatives from 16 participating and observing countries gathered together for the opening ceremony in Odessa, Ukraine. The exercise brings air, land and naval forces together in an effort to strengthen interoperability and improve maritime security. This marks the 16th year of the exercise, which is co-hosted by the U.S. and Ukraine. One key component of the exercise will be to utilize sea basing to conduct a wide range of operations ashore, such as non-combatant evacuation. Sea Breeze 2013 is the largest multinational maritime exercise in the Black Sea. It is also designed to improve maritime safety and stability in the region by improving the capabilities of partnership for peace and Black Sea regional maritime forces. From the Defense Media Activity, I'm Petty Officer Andrew Johnson.