NATO's advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise Dynamic Manta begins in Italy

Dynamic Manta 2019 brings together 10 NATO Allies to practice the complex task of anti-submarine warfare. Submarines, with their ability to cruise stealthily beneath the waves, represent a clear challenge to NATO’s maritime forces. In order to keep the seas free and open, NATO practices the complex and demanding mission of anti-submarine warfare, or ASW, through regular exercises. Dynamic Manta 2019 brings together units and more than 3,000 sailors and airmen from 10 Allies (Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States) in the central Mediterranean Sea to simulate the hunt for undersea adversaries. In order to succeed, NATO forces have to use a combination of sea-based, airborne and submarine assets to find and neutralize submarine threats. Footage includes shots of the Italian submarine Scirè underway, shots of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two underway; interior shots of the Spanish submarine ESPS Tramontana; and shots of the Turkish frigate TCG Gelibolu’s sonar room. Plus soundbites from US Navy Commodore Andrew C. Lennon, Commander, Submarines NATO. NATO’s Submarine Warfare Exercise DYNAMIC MANTA 2019 (DYMA 19) began Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 off the Sicilian coast, with ships, submarines, and 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 Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, under the control of NATO Submarine Command (COMSUBNATO), are joining nine surface ships from the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Italy, Turkey, France, and Greece. As host nation, Italy will provide support in Catania Harbour, the Navy Helicopter Base in Catania and Naval Air Station Sigonella, as well as logistic support (refuelling operations, medical assistance and personnel accommodation) in Augusta Naval Base. "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 Rear Admiral Andrew Lennon, NATO Submarines Commander. "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.”