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NATO’s advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise Dynamic Manta begins in Italy
Ionian Sea, Italy - NATO’s Submarine Warfare Exercise Dynamic Manta 2017 (DYMA 17) began today off the Sicilian coast, with ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from 10 Allied nations converging on the Central Mediterranean Sea for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare training.
Submarines from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United States, under the control of Commander, Submarines NATO (COMSUBNATO), will join 10 surface ships from Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United States. Nine Maritime Patrol Aircraft and three shore based helicopters from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States will operate from Sigonella Air Base under the control of Commander, Maritime Air NATO (COMMARAIRNATO).
The aim of this exercise is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare skills, with due regard for safety.
"NATO’s annual anti-submarine-warfare exercise Dynamic Manta remains one of the most challenging exercises and an excellent opportunity for NATO nations’ naval forces to practice and evaluate their Anti-Submarine skillset in a challenging environment,” said NATO Maritime Air Commander Commodore Andreas Vettos, Hellenic Navy. "This exercise is a unique opportunity to enhance naval forces’ war fighting skills in all three dimensions of Anti-Submarine-Warfare in a multinational and multi-threat environment. We appreciate the outstanding host nation support of the Italian Navy that is required to make this challenging and effective exercise happen”
Host nation Italy is providing support from the Augusta Naval Base, Catania Harbour and the Sigonella Air Base in Catania. "Sicilian Maritime Command (MARISICILIA) will support the exercise assets during their operational port visit in Augusta and Catania harbours, in order to provide them logistic support, in details for refuelling operations, medical assistance and personnel accommodation” said Sicily Maritime Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Nicola De Felice, Italian Navy.
Each surface ship will have the opportunity to conduct a variety of submarine warfare operations. The submarines will take turns hunting and being hunted, closely coordinating their efforts with the air and surface participants.
Ships and submarines in Catania, Italy, prior to exercise Dynamic Manta starting on March 13, 2017.