The international, NATO-led, submarine search and rescue exercise Dynamic Monarch 2017 concluded off the coast of Marmaris in southwestern Turkey on Friday.
Canada, France, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States took part in the exercise, which focused on submarine escape and rescue (SMER) operations.
The exercise involved a wide array of equipment and up to 1,000 military and civilian personnel. In total, three submarines, four submarine rescue ships, five surface ships, four aircraft, three medical teams, and one submarine parachute assistance group participated in Dynamic Monarch.
The training included a coordinated mass evacuation exercise (MASSEVEX) that featured a U.S. Submarine Rescue Chambers Flyaway System and a tri-nation NATO Submarine Rescue System designed to aid personnel in distressed submarines.
The exercise also practised complex medical operations at sea.
Commander Gennaro Vitagliano, who participated with the Italian Navy during the exercise, reflected on the importance of maintaining operational integrity for rescue missions. “This is not about a war exercise. We are talking about saving a life,” he said. “For us, it’s important brotherhood; for us it’s important to be here and be ready to save a life, whatever country this life belongs to.”