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Dynamic Manta

NATO’s annual anti-submarine-warfare exercise DYNAMIC MANTA is 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. 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.

The largest anti submarine warfare exercise NATO holds in the Mediterranean started in Italy 12 September 2015. The exercise Dynamic Manta formerly known as Noble Manta kicked off in Sicily. The Augusta Naval Base and the Sigonella Air Base in Catania were full with participating naval and air units. Submarines from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States, would join 5 surface ships from France, Germany, Italy, Turkey and the United States. To support the simulated multi-threat environment, 7 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Helicopters from Canada, France, Italy, Turkey and the United States operated from Sigonella Air Base.

NATO’s Submarine Warfare Exercise DYNAMIC MANTA 2016 (DYMA 16) began 22 February 2016 off the Sicilian coast, with ships, submarines, and aircraft and personnel from 8 Allied nations converging on the Central Mediterranean Sea for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare training. Submarines from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States, under the control of NATO Submarine Command (COMSUBNATO), joined surface ships from France, Italy and Spain. Host nation Italy provided support from the Augusta Naval Base, Catania Harbour and the Sigonella Air Base in Catania. To support the simulated multi-threat environment, 9 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Helicopters from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States operated from Sigonella Air Base under the control of personnel from NATO Maritime Air Command (COMMARAIRNATO).

The aim of this exercise is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare skills, with due regard to safety. “Sicilian Maritime Command (MARISICILIA) would support the exercise assets during their operational port visit in Augusta and Catania harbours, in order to provide them logistic support, in details for refuelling operations, medical assistance and personnel accommodation” said Sicily Maritime Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Nicola De Felice (Italian Navy).

Exercise DYNAMIC MANTA-16 was supported by an In-Stride Debriefing Team (IDT) who would produce an analysis of the training's from submitted highlights signals. The team analysed anti-submarine warfare events real time and provided debriefs to ships, submarines and aircrews. It allows crew to accelerate their process, make adjustments, improve the performance and boost the anti-submarine warfare readiness. IDT team is composed of ASW experts and would perform its mission from Sigonella Air Base. Each surface ship had the opportunity to conduct a variety of submarine warfare operations. The submarines took turns hunting and being hunted, closely coordinating their efforts with the air and surface participants.

Exercise Dynamic Manta 2018, a multilateral Allied Maritime Command-led exercise involving NATO forces, began 05 March 2018. The exercise is taking place in the Mediterranean Sea off the southern coast of Italy. During the course of the exercise, U.S. forces will work alongside NATO maritime forces to strengthen interoperability and increase our combined anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability and capacity. Participating units from the U.S. include one submarine, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), two P-8A Poseidons, and one P-3 Orion. Dynamic Manta is held annually to provide operational training in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare in order to enhance interoperability and proficiency of participating nations, including scheduled participants Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Turkey, the U.K., and the U.S.

Sailors assigned to the “Tridents” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 participated in exercise Dynamic Manta 2019 from Feb. 25 to March 7, 2019. Dynamic Manta is a multilateral Allied Maritime Command anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare exercise involving NATO forces and is focused on improving the interoperability and proficiency of participating units. Trident combat aircrews participated alongside U.S. partner and allied nations in 16 ASW training flights over the course of the two-week exercise. The flights focused on enhancing inter-operability between the P-8A Poseidon and the various ASW assets of the other participating nations. “Participating in exercises like Dynamic Manta is invaluable for us at the operational level,” said Lt. Taylor Janoe, a tactical coordinator assigned to VP-26. “It allows us to receive firsthand experience operating with our allies in a dynamic maritime environment, and gives us the opportunity to see what sort of capabilities they bring to the table while showcasing the P-8.” The ASW flights consisted of Trident aircrews coordinating with allied surface and air assets to locate, track and conduct simulated attack runs on allied submarines acting as combatants.

The military exercise "Dynamic Manta-2020", carried out by NATO, in order to strengthen air, naval and submarine cooperation against submersibles and train to fight battles. The simulacrum, organized by the Italian Naval Force on the east coast of Sicily, has the participation of 9 NATO allies: Turkey, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Canada, England and the USA. Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, commander of the NATO Permanent Maritime Group 2, who commands naval platforms for the exercise, offered a press conference on the Italian frigate. "The military exercise brought together allies, submarines and aviation of the allies in the face of submarine and naval combat." The commander of NATO's underwater headquarters, Rear Admiral Andrew Burcher, emphasized that this exercise offers a crucial possibility for testing and understanding cooperation capabilities among allied submarines. Ankara’s aim to maintain a growing naval presence in the Central Mediterranean was reflected by its participation in Dynamic Manta 2020 NATO exercise hosted by Italy, east of Sicily.