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NATO MINE-COUNTER-MEASURE Exercise off The Coast of TURKEY

NATO Joint Forces Command Naples Press Release {11}
{17 05 04}

Naples, Italy – A NATO Mine Countermeasures Exercise will take place in the Kudasi Bay, off the West coast of Turkey from 20 to 28 May 2004. Seven NATO nations will provide forces and assets to conduct the Exercise, named DAMSEL FAIR 2004, which will address all aspects of mine-warfare planning, execution and analysis.

The NATO Mine Countermeasures Force South (MCMFORSOUTH) will be required to carry out mine clearance operations, in a live environment, to support the simulated, safe insertion of NATO peacekeeper troops to a fictitious country.

In all, approximately 1000 personnel from Mine Countermeasures vessels, minelayers, explosives ordnance disposal teams, patrol boats and diver support vessels from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United States will participate in the exercise, which will be co-ordinated and controlled by Headquarters Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe (NAVSOUTH),

MCMFORSOUTH, formerly known as NATO Mine Countermeasures Force Mediterranean (MCMFORMED), was established as a NATO Immediate Reaction Force in La Spezia, Italy on 27 May 1999. Since its activation, in addition to conducting training activities, it has participated in NATO peace support operations. It also supports Operation Active Endeavour in NATO’s maritime contribution to the fight against terrorism. In the last year MCMFORSOUTH has participated in several NATO and non-NATO exercises and has visited tnumerous ports in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

From 18 February until 28 May 2004 a main Press Information Centre (PIC) will be established in Naples, Italy. A temporary sub PIC will be established in Izmir, Turkey to support the following proposed media events:
-20 May 2004: Opening Press Briefing. Pierside tour of ships.
-20 May 2004: Opening Press Conference with COMMCMFORSOUTH and Exercise Director

Media questions prior to the establishment of the PIC should be addressed to the Public Information Officer, ALLIED NAVAL FORCES SOUTHERN EUROPE – (NAVSOUTH): Lt Cdr H L BURWIN, HQ NAVSOUTH Public Information Office, Naples, Italy; Telephone: --39 081 721 6446. Email: hburwin@afsouth.nato.int.