Several US warships including a guided missile cruiser and destroyer, 800 sailors, and a Navy SEAL team have arrived in the Black Sea to participate in the 12-day Sea Breeze 2017 naval exercise off Ukraine with 16 countries. The exercise includes 31 vessels, 29 aircraft and over 3,000 troops practicing anti-submarine, anti-ship, air defense, mine clearance and hostage rescue operations. The Ukrainian Vice Admiral described the Black Sea as a "crisis region" and hopes the drills will help Ukraine achieve NATO standards and join the community of European nations.