Several frigates traveled in tighter-than-normal formation to simulate a submarine hunt during a demonstration on Monday Feb. 25, 2019, on the Mediterranean Sea for the start of Dynamic Manta, a 10-day anti-submarine warfare exercise. (Scott Wyland/Stars and Stripes)
Several frigates traveled in tighter-than-normal formation to simulate a submarine hunt during a demonstration on Monday Feb. 25, 2019, on the Mediterranean Sea for the start of Dynamic Manta, a 10-day anti-submarine warfare exercise. (Scott Wyland/Stars and Stripes)
A P-8A Poseidon flies past the Dutch Frigate HNLMS Evertsen during a demonstration on Monday Feb. 25, 2019, on the Mediterranean Sea for the start of Dynamic Manta, a 10-day anti-submarine warfare exercise. (Scott Wyland/Stars and Stripes)
A Canadian helicopter zips past frigates as it scouts for submarines during a demonstration on Monday Feb. 25, 2019, near Sicily at the start of Dynamic Manta, a 10-day anti-submarine warfare exercise. (Scott Wyland/Stars and Stripes)
A Turkish frigate tracks a submarine during a demonstration on Monday Feb. 25, 2019, on the Mediterranean Sea for the start of Dynamic Manta, a multinational, anti-submarine warfare exercise. (Scott Wyland/Stars and Stripes)
The bridge crew on the Dutch Frigate HNLMS Evertsen prepare for a demonstration on Monday Feb. 25, 2019, on the Mediterranean Sea. (Scott Wyland/Stars and Stripes)
Anti-submarine torpedoes on the Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen, which is one of nine shipes participating this year in Dynamic Manta, a 10-day, multinational exercise focused on anti-submarine warfare. (Scott Wyland/Stars and Stripes)
A submarine surfaces during a demonstration on Monday Feb. 25, 2019, on the Mediterranean Sea for the start of Dynamic Manta, a 10-day, multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise. (Scott Wyland/Stars and Stripes)
SIGONELLA, Italy – Naval forces from 10 countries have come together in the Mediterranean Sea for the exercise Dynamic Manta to strengthen teamwork and tactics in anti-submarine warfare amid an increase in Russian undersea activity.
An array of scenarios during the 10-day NATO drill are designed to test and train crews on how to combat submarines from the air, sea surface and underwater. The technical and tactical skills must be sharpened regularly to keep up with Russia and China, naval leaders have said.
Last fall, Adm. James Foggo, head of the Navy’s Europe and Africa command, warned that Russia had been building up its sub fleet and had deployed several Kilo-class diesel submarines to the Mediterranean and Black seas.
Participating in this year’s exercise alongside the U.S. are Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey and Britain.
wyland.scott@stripes.com Twitter: @wylandstripes
