NATO ASW exercise Dynamic Mongoose to start in North Atlantic

NATO’s advanced anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Mongoose, which is held in the Norwegian Sea every summer, will begin on 13 June.

US Navy

The exercise will see the participation of sailors and airmen from nine NATO nations: Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK and the US, including 3 submarines, 11 surface ships and 16 maritime patrol aircraft.

The aim of Dynamic Mongoose is to provide all participants with complex and realistic warfare training to enhance their interoperability in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare disciplines.

During the exercise, submarines will take turns hunting and being hunted, closely coordinating their efforts with the air and surface participants.

Led by Allied Maritime Command, the long-planned exercise will also demonstrate the readiness and mobility of the maritime element of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), a part of the NATO Response Force (NRF).

“These exercises are designed to gain experience, enhance teamwork, and improve knowledge of the operating area strengthening the NATO Alliance’s interoperability,” Commander, Submarines NATO U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Stephen Mack said.

“They will take place in the expansive waters of the GIUK Gap between Iceland and Norway, demonstrating NATO’s ability operate in the area, including our role in maintaining freedom of navigation for the international maritime community.”

Units participating in the exercise will pull into Reykjavik, Iceland on 9 June.