epaselect epa12953341 A servicemen participates in the International Mine Countermeasure Exercise ÒOpen Spirit 2026Ó in the Baltic Sea, Latvia, 13 May 2026. The aim of the exercise is to clear shipping lanes and fishing areas of explosive remnants located on the seabed of the Baltic Sea, thereby reducing risks to maritime navigation safety. Nearly 400 military personnel participated in the exercise, together with international naval vessels, including NATOÕs Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1). SNMCMG1 is one of the AllianceÕs two multinational maritime units established to conduct mine countermeasure operations and, as part of the NATO Response Force, is capable of carrying out operations anywhere at short notice. EPA/TOMS KALNINS