Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, disembark

Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, disembark a Polish amphibious tractor while conducting an amphibious landing during Exercise BALTOPS 2012, June 4. The Marines and sailors of BSRF-12 joined Lithuanian infantry soldiers in the first amphibious landing on Lithuanian soil in 40 years. BSRF-12 is Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force training with 19 countries to facilitate interoperability with U.S. partner nations and promote regional stability while providing a limited crisis response capability in the Black Sea and Caucasus regions. BALTOPS 2012 aims to improve maritime security in the Baltic region through increased interoperability and cooperation amongst regional allies both on land and sea.