US special operations forces trained with Ukrainian special forces and US and Ukrainian naval forces during Sea Breeze 2017.

Sea Breeze is a US and Ukrainian co-hosted multinational maritime exercise.

This year, Ukraine invited US special operations forces to participate, and US Special Operations Command Europe’s Naval Special Warfare Command operators were eager to sign up for the mission, say the Department of Defense.

According to a press release:

“Down at the platoon level, operators fast-roped from hovering U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, conducted personnel recovery training and boarded vessels at sea.

Whether it was on the range, in the field, or on the water, these men were a pleasure to work with.

The Ukrainians’ attitudes made this exercise a great opportunity to exchange training and create a strong relationship.

“As with any exercise of this size and scope, there were challenges to overcome to make the exercise a success while identifying tactical and technical gaps in partner capabilities.”